The introduction of a new power management system at County Hall has been postponed. The system, which it has been shown can save upto 30% on energy used by computers has been tested at Hopper House and Priory House in County Durham and was due to be rolled out by the Council on July 20th.

The system was recommended to the council in early 2009 by County Councillor Mark Wilkes, Framwellgate Moor Division.
Councillor Wilkes commented “In January 2009 I emailed all members and the Chief Executive recommending that we introduce this type of system. Whilst I am happy that the Council decided belatedly to do this, we are clearly moving at a snails pace.”

“For it to take over 2 and half years to implement this proposal is shocking. The Council could have already saved tens if not hundreds of thousands pounds across the County if it had got its act together earlier.”

These type of systems can be normally introduced within a matter of weeks by large organisations and work by automatically placing computers on standby or closing them down completely after a period of inactivity.

Councillor Wilkes added “The lost savings from years of delay would have helped protect frontline services and the blame must lie at Labour’s door – once again wasting money and failing to save taxpayers money.”

“I look forward to the system being fully implemented at the earliest opportunity.”

The system has now been delayed as a large number of computer users have asked for their systems to be exempted from pat or all of the program.