City councillor cancels iPad in face of public outcry
A councillor has cancelled her iPad after a public outcry.
Leicester City Council is testing the gadget, which costs up to £699, with a view to providing all councillors with them after next May's local elections.
Two Conservative councillors and one Liberal Democrat already have the trendy devices.
However Labour cabinet member Sarah Russell has cancelled her order.
She said: "It may have improved the way that we work as councillors but I've got to be aware of how it appears to taxpayers. I've asked the IT department to look at more cost-effective ways of helping councillors to work efficiently."
The Mercury broke the story of council plans to provide the device to all 54 elected members earlier this week.
The majority of the comments on our website were negative, with some branding it a waste of money at a time when the council expects to slash £100 million from its budget and lay off up to 1,000 staff.
The devices were to be provided as the council considers stopping printing council papers. Councillors' support funds are being used to pay for the iPads. For the first year as a councillor, the fund is £1,500. This reduces to £750 for subsequent years.
The funds can be used to paying for computer and internet access, or for a mobile phone.
8 Comments
by Steven, Near here
Friday, August 06 2010, 1:50PM
“...which also explains why Leicester folk will always lag behind their more intelligent East Midlands colleagues in Nottingham and Derby”
by Steven, Near here
Friday, August 06 2010, 1:49PM
“So...£40k overall to equip Councillors for the iPads, and it saves £90k a year on paperwork and printing costs, so thats a £50k saving in year one, and £90k in following years..
So this is being opposed because of what exactly?
Anyone not able to calculate this, doesn't deserve the right to moan!”
by Disgruntled, Beaumont Leys
Thursday, August 05 2010, 6:49PM
“We all accept that Councillors have their snouts in the trough. Let's not forget, some idiot officer recommended this course of action to them. That's where the real idiocy of this situation rests. Cllr patel said he was going to look at expense allowances, has he done it?”
by Colin, Leicester
Thursday, August 05 2010, 1:12PM
“Obvious you've got your finger on the pulse, wiill.
Parsons is the leader of the County Council - nothing to do with the City Council at all.”
by wiill Rentboyz, city
Thursday, August 05 2010, 12:06PM
“Yes,Yes the Layghing Stock at New Walk are beginning to finally feel the Frustration of put-upon wage payers..WOW!
Can we now see Vaz MP pay back monies stolen from the public and other local ejite, Cllr Parsons stop making a bigger Fool of this City.”
by Jane, Another Planet
Thursday, August 05 2010, 12:00PM
“Councillor Russell said: "I've asked the IT department to look at more cost-effective ways.." . Erm, shouldn't they have done this in the first place?”
by Nick Di Perna, Western Road
Thursday, August 05 2010, 11:04AM
“Some of these councilors wont get elected next year so do they give the iPad back?
By the way, Sarah Russell said she was ¿too busy¿ to respond to my last two emails so I don¿t see what difference this gadget would have made in serving her constituents.”
by Kulgan, Crydee
Thursday, August 05 2010, 9:52AM
“Let us hope that all councillors follow Councillor Sarah Russell's example and stop ordering the latest gadgets with other people's money, when there is a less expensive option available.”