Council provision of computers for councillors
The Members' Training Group of Stroud DC, of which I am a member, is discussing councillors' computers at 5 pm today.... Council ICT wants to stop providing everyone with laptops, as the last lot are beginning to wear out and they don't want to replace them and, anyway, people have vastly different systems - prefer own desktop, have own broadband connection, etc. The proposal is to allow each councillor £ 300 for a laptop on election and then pay £ 10 a month for broadband and consumables. You would only be eligible for a new laptop after each election you stood in.
I will definitely be going for 'computers' rather than 'laptops'. You can understand why councils supply councillors with laptops, but if we are buying our own systems, they don't need to go to and fro. Furthermore, laptops are inherently less stable and any accident involves a whole new machine rather than just replacing the keyboard (or whatever). But what is a sensible amount of money, enough for a new hitherto non-computer-owning councillor to set themselves up? (Can't imagine finding such a dinosaur outside the Tories, but still....)
Any ideas what else I should be going for?
I will definitely be going for 'computers' rather than 'laptops'. You can understand why councils supply councillors with laptops, but if we are buying our own systems, they don't need to go to and fro. Furthermore, laptops are inherently less stable and any accident involves a whole new machine rather than just replacing the keyboard (or whatever). But what is a sensible amount of money, enough for a new hitherto non-computer-owning councillor to set themselves up? (Can't imagine finding such a dinosaur outside the Tories, but still....)
Any ideas what else I should be going for?
Views: 2
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Phil Hobson on -
Here in Monmouthshire we pay £28 per month which is fo rthe laptop, printer, consumables and IT support/maintenance. Councillors get a new laptop on election. When you work it out over four years its a pretty expensive way to buy a laptop and printer - but it is complusory.
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Permalink Reply by Sadie Smith on
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Sandwell Council supplies laptops, docking devices and, where necessary monitors.
However, read the small print of what is being supplied and any conditions.
Sandwell's previous offer was similar and useful. The new one has various safety systems and staff have remote access. So all my private and political stuff has had to be put on a different machine.
I find I am using other machine much more than the Council's. Though one can get access to reports. And all the Chief Exec's general mailings:-) -
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Permalink Reply by Tony Greaves on
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It am not sure how any Council can make anything "compulsory". If a Councillor wishes to live outside the world of the internet they surely have a right to do so. I am right in reading that in Monmouth it is the Councillor that pays for the service?
The question of Councillors' privacy in their political and other activities is becoming critical. Councils themselves seem to be getting hysterical about their staffs' use of their computers and a lot of this is leaching to Councillors as well. I suggest that we need a clear view on it all.
Personally (together with some other Councillors) I refuse to have anything to do with the Council's computers etc - on grounds of their incompetence (I don't want to lose connections at a weekend for instance) and potential restrictions on use. The idea of having different computers at home for different purposes is daft and impracticable. The Council pay me about £23 a month which is what they say it would cost them to provide me with a computer and connection via their network.
Tony Greaves -
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