Issue - meetings

To consider recommending the purchase of 41 Surface Pros and approval of the continued optional one-off cash allowance of £200 for the 4-year term (equating to the equivalent of £50 per year) as a contribution towards broadband costs.

The committee considered a report requesting approval for the purchase of 41 Microsoft Surface Pro tablets and continuation of a £200 allowance for the four-year term as a contribution towards member broadband costs. The ICT Manager explained that members found the Microsoft tablets to be user friendly and more compatible with programmes used by the Council.

The committee expressed concern that members would not be allowed to keep their current tablet at the end of their term and believed this contradicted a previous cabinet decision. The committee also felt the allowance should be reviewed to help cover related costs. The committee requested the management team produce a report regarding the retention of issued tablets.

The Committee resolved

1.    To approve the purchase of 41 Surface Pros and

2.    That officers be asked to provide a report on the retention of devices at the end of councillors’ four year terms and the provision of allowances for incidental ICT related costs.