TAXPAYERS are to foot a £21,000 bill for North Yorkshire county councillors to go online.

They already have computers, printers and fax machines in their homes, paid for with public money.

The extra £21,000 is to cover the cost of Internet connection at the homes of county council members.

Jeremy Walker, the council's chief executive, said: "Increasingly,there has been an expectation that members will communicate electronically and receive committee reports and the like electronically.

"The current arrangements mean that such electronic communication must go via the Internet, for which charges are incurred and, in order to ensure reasonable access, dedicated lines are required."

Each councillor would have £285 added to their basic allowance every year, which would be intended to cover the cost of Internet subscription and connection.

The council will arrange all connections with one flat rate subscription.

At the moment, councillors made a claim to the council for each individual payment for connections and calls.

Mr Walker said: "This system is difficult to manage, time-consuming and has led to a very wide range of claims."

The idea of the annual payment has already been considered by an independent panel, which has given its backing.

The panel includes members of York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Trade, the University of Leeds and Yorkshire Enterprise.

Mr Walker said: "The independent panel for North Yorkshire County Council has discussed the proposals and expressed their support for them in advance of their planned review of the new scheme of allowances, which it is intended to carry out later this year."

The council's cabinet was due to discuss the plans today.

A full review of councillors' expenses is being carried out, with any changes coming into effect on April 1 next year.

Members currently claim an annual basic allowance of £5,500 a year.

Updated: 09:58 Tuesday, July 10, 2001