Council Splurge on iPad Tech

37 newly elected councillors receive top-spec iPad Pros along with hundreds of pounds worth of data plans and accessories.

21:20 04 June 2019

South Holland District Council members elected this month have chosen to buy the highest-powered tablets at a cost of £863.16. Each has also received an Apple Smart Keyboard Folio flip-case (£160.94) and a second generation Apple Pencil £(94.11). Excluding VAT, the total cost for the products is £41,373. SHDC is also paying £15.50per month per unit for data plans.

 

 

 

An SHDC spokesman said: “A survey of SHDC members was conducted in 2018 around members’ use of ICT equipment and their needs in terms of device types and services.

 

 

 

“This was followed up by a number of meetings of the Council’s Member ICT Working Group. A set of options was provided in order to allow members to compare a number of different models and devices, and several councillors evaluated these options during a trial period.

 

 

 

“A particular focus of the feedback was on aspects of portability, accessibility and members’ essential ICT and systems requirements, including the ability to easily access and read key documents like agendas and applications.”

 

 

 

The move helps council cut down on printing and saving on postage costs.

 

 

 

“As a council, we are committed to driving down printing and postage costs wherever possible, and the long-term environmental and financial benefits that this brings. Since councillors introduced iPads there has been a 66 per cent reduction in the printing of agendas annually, along with a 73 per cent reduction in postage costs and 66 per cent of officer time spent on preparing meeting papers.

 

 

 

“Councillors felt that these benefits represented good value for money for the additional security and flexibility they provide.”