£250k will be spent on council laptops in Sandwell
More than £250,000 will be ploughed into improving technology at a children's services department at a Black Country council, in a move bosses say will cut costs in the long run.
Sandwell Council wants to introduce 'agile working' and will spend £257,000 on hundreds of laptops and IT equipment under the proposals.
The project will also support the council's accommodation strategy which aims to save money on office costs, rent and business rates by enabling children's services staff access to systems while out of the office.
Borough finance boss, Councillor Steve Eling, is due to approve the funding for the scheme at a meeting tomorrow.
A report to Councillor Eling states the money will be spent on 212 Elite Books laptops as well as the software.
It is planned to start rolling out the computers between October 2013 and March 2014.
The report says: "Children's services have recognised their need to develop a flexible workforce to reduce costs and for savings to be made whilst supporting a more cost effective and efficient workforce."
The computers will give staff the flexibility to work from court, work from home and will also reduce journeys as they will enable them to work remotely, rather than have to drive back to the office.
The reduction in mileage claims is estimated to save the service £20,250 a year.
Councillor Eling said: "I want to see some real cost savings in day to day operation as a result of the investment that I am putting in and the equipment."
As part of the ongoing office accommodation strategy, around 1,000 staff are relocating. The streamlining is saving the authority around £2 million a year.