High-tech package in store for Shore City councillors

North Shore City plans to spend $80,000 on high-tech aids for its mayor and 15 councillors.

Each North Shore councillor will get a laptop computer, printer, copier and scanner, internet connection and a combination cellphone-personal digital assistant-camera.

The council's chief information officer, Tony Rogers, said councillors would be able to access information such as building consents granted, aerial photographs, underground pipes and cables, and town planning zones and rules.

"They can bring laptops to meetings and display the agenda and minutes of previous meetings and there will be docking stations around the council table for their emails, scheduling appointments and all that administrivia."

Councillor Gary Holmes is looking forward to the end of lugging around reports that would make chunky doorstops and wading through piles of paper.

"So much information is going to be available electronically and I believe we will be able to offer greater assistance to our constituents when they call us about their problems," he said.

Local Government New Zealand president Basil Morrison said there was no hard and fast rule for what high-tech aids should be issued to councillors.

But he says a council cellphone brings with it an obligation to be ever available and, for rural councillors, that's not always easy.

Members who use their own gear on council business can be reimbursed for the rental and calls made.

Auckland already provides its mayor and 19 councillors with a North Shore-type package, though the cellphone does not include a camera.

Waitakere City supplies one low-power computer terminal and printer in the councillors' lounge, an individual email address and ability to remotely access the council information system from their own computers.

Manukau City provides a cellphone for the mayor and deputy mayor only.

Councillors are reimbursed for use of their own cellphones on council matters and for a high-speed connection up to $70 a month.

Councillors are allowed one ream of paper a year for their printers and up to two printing cartridges a year.

Members of the Auckland Regional Council use their own cellphones and are reimbursed for council calls.