iPads for binmen proposal rubbished

TOWN hall bosses were accused of insulting taxpayers with plans to give binmen £400 (€450) iPad gadgets to do their rounds.

Bury Council, facing budget cuts of £18 million, is reportedly to buy 22 of the tablet computers to mount on dashboards guiding bin wagons around the town in Greater Manchester.

The council, which will not say how much they have spent on the Apple devices, claims it will help save cash by improving collection rates, customer service standards and boost recycling.

Critics say the same job could be done with a pen and paper.

Robert Oxley, campaign manager of the Taxpayers’ Alliance, said: “It beggars belief that a council making huge savings can find this money to splash out on iPads.”

It is understood the iPads will be used to compile a list of residents who do not recycle and who needs assistance in putting their bins out.

Council management claims the scheme will cut down on paperwork, which can get dirty and lost in cabs.