VOTE: iPads ‘will save councils money’ in Worthing and Adur

The comments were made by Salvington ward councillor Michael Cloake in the wake of the joint strategic committee’s decision to update IT equipment for Adur and Worthing councillors.

The plans, reported in last week’s Herald, could cost up to £37,000, depending on which equipment is bought.

Mr Cloake said councillors currently read printed agendas as long as 350 pages.

By updating councillors’ IT systems, members could be “mobilised” and the town hall members’ room, in Worthing, rented out to community groups.

Mr Cloake, who also advises the councils on IT, said this could net £22,800 a year.

The members’ room is currently used by councillors for meetings and has computers which are used by members without access to personal computers. Mr Cloake said: “By adopting joint working with Adur we have begun a path that is saving our taxpayers a huge amount of money.

“This new IT proposal is simply a continuation of these savings moving forward in a technologically savvy world.”

Under the proposals, the new equipment will remain council property and will be security-locked for council work.

Read the full story in today’s Herald (November 8 edition).

What do you think?

Should councillors be given ipads or laptops?

Cast your vote in the poll to the right of the screen and leave your comments below.