PAUL Stammers is right when in his article headlined "Ageing computers add to cash crisis" (Evening News, Wednesday, October 18) he says old computers might have contributed to the cash problems facing social services.
At last someone has realised that £17m cuts to social services over the last five years has now taken its toll on the department's systems such as computers upon which many people heavily rely.
In an age when local government, like business, depends on computer technology, you will soon be in trouble if your computers are not up to scratch. With the best will in the world it makes the job so much more difficult and time- consuming if equipment is old and keeps breaking down.
We are doing our best to improve things ourselves and press the Government for additional funding. I also believe that we are increasing our own efficiency - but we must remain optimistic that our pleas for help will be heard when the local government settlement is announced in November.
For now, we must be thankful that the speedy action taken to deal with a potential overspend in the department of £4.6m seems to be working. I believe it was right to take action now.
To simply do nothing would leave an even worse problem to deal with later. The action plan we have put in place has already seen the budget pulled back into line by £500,000.
But let's all remember. We can't spend money we don't have.
PETER PINFIELD,
Portfolio Holder Social Services/Health and Well Being,
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