Outcry as iPads banned by council
A LONG-standing town councillor has threatened to resign from her post – after being banned from using her iPad in meetings.
Nailsea Town Council has voted to bar members from using iPads and laptops in meetings over concerns people would use them to either surf the internet, send e-mails or post messages on networking sites such as Twitter.
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Councillor Mary Blatchford
But the move enraged Councillor Mary Blatchford, who also represents Nailsea on North Somerset Council, and she called the move "archaic".
Mrs Blatchford says she needs to use her iPad in meetings to take down notes, as she is deaf and has a hand injury, which makes it difficult to write. She said the ban discriminates against those who have disabilities and is now taking legal advice.
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Mrs Blatchford said: "I find it much easier to type then to write. I also think a ban on electronic devices is archaic in this day and age.
"My husband and I have always used laptops in meetings, for as long as I can remember.
"I have yet to make a decision on whether to tender my resignation and am taking legal advice. But I need my iPad to be able to do my job as a councillor properly and serve the local community of Nailsea."
The move follows a similar ban on mobile phones and other handheld devices at meetings of Clevedon Town Council. The ban was brought into force after Councillor Jane Geldhart posted six tweets from a meeting referring to the town's Christmas lights switch-on and the opening of a new multi-use games area.
Her fellow councillors said a ban was needed because piecemeal information from a meeting posted online could be misconstrued and did not always give an accurate picture of business being discussed.
A ban is already in place at Nailsea Town Council on using mobile phones, as they interfere with a hearing loop system for deaf people.
Council clerk Ian Morrell said: "The recommendation from the policy committee and endorsed by the town council was to express its opposition to the use of electronic gadgets where they become a distraction to councillors and impact on everyone being fully engaged in debates. This is an entirely separate matter to the use of equipment required by councillors or staff in connection with a disability."
North Somerset Council has no official rules regarding the use of computers in meetings. Earlier this year the authority revealed it would consider a plan to give all 61 of its members iPads in a bid to cut down on the cost of printing and delivering agendas and other official paperwork.
Comments
by Lone_Ranger
Thursday, October 18 2012, 1:54PM
“obynj88 - Joke detector switched off today?”
by Ourbads
Thursday, October 18 2012, 1:52PM
“So how did this long-standing Councillor serve her community before the iPad was released?”
by Pyronaught
Thursday, October 18 2012, 1:51PM
“And before anyone comments again about dictaphones for the deaf.........how can she hear what is being said at the meeting to makes note on her ipad in the first place? she cant lip read if she's typing.”
by Pyronaught
Thursday, October 18 2012, 1:48PM
“Oh dear God!!!!!! Use a dictaphone or get someone else to take notes. 'Discrimination' rears it's head again. (or should that be "rears it's foot" - don't want to discriminate against other appendages!)
However did this woman survive before 'technology' started ruling the world?”
by robynj88
Thursday, October 18 2012, 1:14PM
“so she can use a dictaphone to make notes which she later can't play back as she's deaf? Come on guys, think it through before you post.
Environmentally they should be allowed laptops and tablet computers in meetings as it would save on quite a hefty lot of paper that otherwise would be printed.
Better yet, set down some proper ground rules for meeting etiquette. Phones off, pay attention and only use your technology for what you're there for.”
by Lone_Ranger
Thursday, October 18 2012, 12:11PM
“Could she not use some kind of electronic recording device such as a dictaphone*?
*Insert own joke here.”
by GoveKnows
Thursday, October 18 2012, 11:09AM
“See, here's the problem...
"Mrs Blatchford says she needs to use her iPad in meetings to take down notes, as she is deaf and has a hand injury, which makes it difficult to write. She said the ban discriminates against those who have disabilities and is now taking legal advice."
She doesn't 'need' her iPad at all, indeed there's probably someone taking minutes anyway. She just wants to use her funky iPad (which we probably paid for) for the sake of using it. A simple dictophone will do fine.
It's a silly decision to ban them but at the same time, it's equally silly to play victim and say it's near impossible for her to do her job without one.”
by rocketbob
Thursday, October 18 2012, 10:53AM
“small minded councillors again. Technology is here, its too late to ban it.”
by RobBradStoke
Thursday, October 18 2012, 10:39AM
“Normally I would say - What's wrong with a simple pen and notepad!
However, whilst this could apply to 99% of councillors, I have to support the use of laptops etc for disabled people.
No one really minds a councillor using a laptop/Ipad for notes or presentations - but I would object if they are using twitter/facebook rather than listening to the meeting.”