Yorkshire council claims iPad move will save cash

EVERY member of a North Yorkshire district council will be given an iPad in a move it claims will save thousands of pounds every year.

Richmondshire Council is equipping every councillor with one of the tablet devices as it becomes a ‘paperless’ authority.

It will end the printing and distrubution of council agendas with all documents made available electronically.

Council leader Yvonne Peacock said: “These changes mean we can make on-going efficiency savings through the reduction in the need for laptops and the hardware that go with them – as well as saving costs from printing.

“And ipads give us the flexibility to access our emails, committee papers and other information from anywhere with a wireless connection – as well as using them at meetings.”

“We expect savings off around £20,000 a year through this system.

“And with the cost of replacing an ipad considerably less than replacing a laptop this saving will only get greater.

“It forms part of our four year financial strategy to deliver savings, balance the budget and keep council tax low.”

The decision follows a trial involving six council members.