Council slammed over councillor laptop plans

THE CITY Council will spend over £34,000 on new laptops for councillors - despite some of them branding the plan a waste of money.

Chiefs defended the move and claimed computer equipment needed refreshing every four years.

But two opposition councillors said it could not be justified against a backdrop of cuts being made in the city, including to vital services such as Children's Centres.

Coun Allan Andrews and Hazel Noonan - both Conservative - said councillors should fork out for some gadgets at their own expense.

Three top city councillors - John Mutton, Lindsley Harvard and Phil Townshend - are set to approve the funding on Wednesday.

All PCs and laptops, as well as associated equipment, will be replaced at a total cost to the taxpayer of £34,368.

A Council spokesman said: "Like most modern large organisations, many councillors and officers of Coventry City Council rely upon IT facilities to carry out their duties.

"There is already a computer refresh programme in place for officers and most of the equipment being used by councillors is beyond or at the end of its expected lifespan.

"Therefore, a report has been produced detailing some of the options available to allow Members to make a decision on how to go forward.

"That report will be considered by a Joint Cabinet Member meeting on February 22."

Two other options - including one to not replace any equipment - are expected to be shelved at the meeting.

The third option, favoured by Coun Andrews and Noonan, suggests not purchasing new equipment, including Blackberrys, but would allow councillors to pay to use existing Blackberry stock provided by the Council at their own expense.

Coun Andrews, Conservative city services spokesman, which includes ICT, said: "This is another example of the Council saying on one hand that they have no money, yet continuing to spend money on frivolous expenditure.

"I have made clear to the Council that this report does not have my support and I would urge Council leaders to reject the report’s recommendation.

"It is vital that Councillors lead by example in the current financial climate."

Coun Noonan, who has campaigned to save Cheylesmore Children’s Centre, said: "At a time when the Council is telling residents that Children’s Centres have to close it is bizarre that this level of spending is being proposed because some councillors would like a new computer."