£250 Blackberries for 72 councillors

Councillors in a Black Country borough are set to be offered Blackberry mobile phones free in a move which could cost taxpayers £18,000.

An independent panel is recommending a £250 Blackberry for any of the 72 Dudley councillors who requests one. The council has alreadyshelled out £16,000 on 64 Blackberries for housing managers.

The recommendation is published in a report on councillors' allowances to be considered on Thursday.

A three-man panel, made up of Michael Beardsmore, the Rev Mike Mason and president of Dudley Chamber of Commerce Mike Dell, says members should be able to request Blackberry phones for council business.

The report, drawn up following a survey of councillors, states: "Members generally felt that the arrangement for providing personal computers, secretarial support and, where necessary, other support worked well, but some thought the provision of a Blackberry mobile communication device would help."

Council leader Councillor David Caunt said: "It is modern technology which could be used for the benefit of the council, meaning everyone is in permanent contact and always available."

Labour leader Councillor David Sparks said: "I got a Blackberry from the council and I gave up my laptop.

"It is fantastically useful. At a recent area committee I was able to tell people in my ward of a decision within seconds of it being made.

"To keep costs down if you have a Blackberry you should not have a PC or a laptop from the council."

Councillor Caunt agreed with the "either or" position.

Lib Dem leader Councillor Dave Tyler said: "I can see taxpayers' point of view if they want money to be saved. This is an easy way to save money and I think this needs to be looked at very carefully."