More than £16,000 is due to be splashed out on iPads for council members in a bid to “phase out” printed agendas.

It is predicted that £9,800 will be saved from not printing and circulating agendas per year.

The government initiative was announced on February 3 and is set to be the only way councillors can access DDC’s online portal.

It is estimated that an extra £3,000 will be needed to install special sockets in council chambers and for necessary training to be given to those who are not familiar with modern technology.

The gadgets will also need insurance and more money will be needed to maintain the tablet’s life span.

Cllr Sue Jones is dubious about the announcement, she said: “Who is to say that in two years time the technology will not be obsolete and the tablets will require upgrading.

“It is a gamble but this is a government initiative and I suppose it will be easier to carry a tablet than some of the inch thick agendas we sometimes have.”

Cllr Mike Eddy added: “It is a sledgehammer to crack a nut that almost doesn’t exist.”

Mr Eddy believes that iPads won’t fulfil the same purpose as paper, as their batteries will die between meetings leaving councillors without the vital resources they need.

Cllr Jones added: “Some councillors may always prefer the paper copies, so it would be unfair to not have this option available.”