A DELIVERY of 43 laptop computers for councillors, costing £125,000, has arrived at Swindon Council at a time when budget cuts are being proposed for some of our most vulnerable services.

The laptops come complete with state-of-the-art colour printers and CD writers and work out at more than £2,900 each.

They were penned into this year's budget in March under the previous Labour administration, but had the backing of all three parties.

Councillors argue the computers will end up saving thousands of pounds on printing and postage, as agendas, letters and minutes can be e-mailed instead of posted. They say it is necessary to drag the council into the 21st century and ensure councillors have access to technology to make their jobs more efficient.

But council leader Mike Bawden has admitted the timing of their delivery to the Civic Offices was unfortunate, given that his group has just proposed a 9.5 per cent council tax increase and cuts to services such as the voluntary sector and leisure facilities.

His deputy, Brian Ford, went further, claiming he thought the price tag was too high. As the matter now comes under his portfolio, he has instructed officers to look into the matter.

Because the money has already been spent, it will not be possible to reduce the cost, but he feels more computers could be bought for the same amount, meaning all 59 councillors could be given one each.

Coun Ford (Con, Wroughton and Chiseldon) said: "I agree wholeheartedly with the principal of equipping councillors with the equipment to do the job, but I think £125,000 his too much for what we're getting. I've just brought a brand new computer for my office that is state-of-the-art and costs under £1,000.

"We have to look at all budgets at the council to see where savings can be made and I believe there are several areas where we could do that without hurting a fly."

Coun Bawden (Con, Old Town and Lawn) said: "I can understand why people would perhaps be concerned by this and the timing of their arrival is unfortunate. But it was built into the last budget for capital spending and won't affect the budget we are working on now for next year."

Labour deputy leader Derek Benfield (Covingham) said: "This will bring councillors into the 21st century by giving them access to the council intranet and enabling council papers to be read online.

"I back the decision to the hilt because it will vastly reduce paperwork, thus saving money and making us more efficient."