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Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council spent £1,019,001.00, research by campaign group Big Brother Watch found.
It maintains more than 80 cameras throughout the borough for recording crime, littering and truancy.
Some £321m was spent across the UK said the group, which obtained the information through Freedom of Information Act requests to councils.
Group director Alex Deane said: “This is a shocking figure.
“Public money is being wasted on snooping surveillance that does next to nothing to prevent or solve crime.
“We are being watched more than ever before, and we’re being ripped off into the bargain.
“British taxpayers will be scandalised to see their money being thrown away like this in the current economic climate.”
But Mehboob Khan, chairman of the Local Government Association’s safer and stronger communities programme, said: “Everyone wants to feel safe in their communities and the effective use of CCTV can be a key part in this.
“CCTV is also an important tool in convicting criminals, sparing witnesses from being cross-examined and saving court time and costs.
“Town halls don't install cameras on a whim. They consult with residents, businesses and police on whether CCTV is appropriate in an area.
“In many instances councils are responding to requests from these groups.
“As well as serious crimes like burglary, it has also proven effective in reducing antisocial behaviour.”
The council is looking to cut budgets by 10 per cent.
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