MONMOUTHSHIRE chief executive Paul Matthews warned councillors at last week's full council meeting that they were at risk of spending more time discussing their new laptop computers than the Treasury Management and Annual Investment Strategy which was also on the agenda.

Councillors are set to receive new laptop computers with powerful processors for video streaming and video conferencing, integrated cameras for video conferencing, a standard set of corporate applications, and capable of remote stand alone access via 3G/GPRS technology at a cost of £15,566.

The seven cabinet members will also receive mobile phones costing a total of £1,400.

Councillor Bob Heywood said he welcomed the improvement but was surprised that members has not be consulted.

"There has been no mention of printers, nothing to say the computers will be repaired or maintained or the cost of cartridges.

"If someone opts not to have a new laptop the old one will not have the new software so there will be difficulty in opening documents."

Councillor Heyward said he didn't see a need to buy computers with 3G capability which enables them to be used for video calls when they won't be used.

St Christopher's Councillor Stephanie Dovey said, "We have not had a choice in this. My ward is extremely busy, I would rather be out talking to people than stuck in front of a laptop. My first duty is to my ward and the people I represent.

"I'll keep my existing laptop, I don't want the new one."

Councillor John Prosser said he would prefer an iPad because he saw that as the future but welcomed the drive for new equipment.

The debate carried on for sometime before the council's Chief Executive Paul Matthews intervened.

"I don't want to trivialise this but you have spent longer debating the laptop then the Treasury.

"I worry about how you will disenfranchise yourselves. This is not a blanket approach, you can move at your own speed. You can have surgeries and seminars to help you with the new equipment but I am convinced that in the future, ward activities will be via technology. It will not slow down, it will probably speed up.

"I urge you not to turn your face from the future because you will regret it," said Mr Matthews.