Free iPads could be issued to Kingston councillors as part of plans to “explore new ways of working”.

Kingston Council has proposed to give elected council members an iPad Air – which would remain property of the council – to use to look at meeting agendas and access council systems such as e-mailing services.

One of the Apple tablets sells for up to £559. According to a report released by the council, the move will help manage the “changing expectations of residents in terms of channels of communication”.

It said: “Local authorities are faced with a continuing challenge to do more with less in a context of sustained reductions in public sector funding.

“Despite the increased usage of ICT solutions to drive efficiencies and service enhancements, and to enhance communication and engagement, the council currently makes no provision for the distribution of ICT devices.”

According to the report, the move would come at no cost to the taxpayer and would in fact generate “modest savings” in expenditure on printing hard copy meeting agendas. The tablets are expected to cost the council about £7,300 a year.

Kingston Council declined to comment on the proposals until a final decision is made, with a spokesman unable to confirm a date for the announcement. Council members are currently expected to access council systems through their personal computers or smartphones.

A trial was run using tablets in March 2015 in which members of the now dis-established policy and finance committee were issued with iPads for two meetings.

Six of the seven councillors who responded to a questionnaire reported being “very satisfied” with the new equipment.

It is not the first time Kingston council has considered providing councillors with free IT equipment. A scheme in 2012, when councillors were given laptops and tablets, was abandoned as the results were “inconclusive”.