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| Sunday, May 17, 03:13:18pm | [ Login ] [ Contact Forum Admin ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, [6], 7, 8, 9, 10 ] |
| Subject: BracknellSome 22,000 residents also own "dumb" Edge loyalty cards which do not have chips and are used for discounts at shops and leisure services, and these will be upgraded in September. | |
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Author: The council will also terminate its contract with British Telecom subsidary BT Ignite on June 17, and continue working with partner PCL on expanding the card. |
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Date Posted: Sunday, July 06, 10:15:03am In reply to: ERG/PCL 40% Yorkshire (previous to last half year 30/6/02 to the 31/12/02--it was 47.1%) 's message, "Yorkshire  A Regional Smartcard System for the North-East of England." on Friday, May 02, 06:20:01amhttp://icberkshire.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0400bracknell/content_objectid=13057480_method=full_siteid=50102_headline=-Smartcard-project-given-thumbs-up-name_page.html Smartcard project given thumbs up Jun 12 2003 By Colin George THE controversial Smartcard scheme which could completely change the way Bracknell families pay for council services was put under the microscope this week. The hi-tech project has cost around £4 million with some 8,000 cards already in hands of school children, youth club users, and library goers. That works out to a cost of £500 for each card, and the council's own public scrutiny commission met on Monday to decide whether the scheme should be scrapped, maintained, or moved forward. The commission broadly supported extending the scheme in future. The card comprises two computer chips, one for a Connexions card which encourages youngsters to go into further education by offering incentives for good work and punctuality. The chip on the other side allows cashless meals at Ranelagh School - which will be extended to all secondaries - and simple book withdrawl and catalogue searches in libraries. There have been a series of problems with the Smartcards which include limiting the amount kids spend at lunch time, expensive software, technological hiccups, and sponsorship shortages. Some 22,000 residents also own "dumb" Edge loyalty cards which do not have chips and are used for discounts at shops and leisure services, and these will be upgraded in September. The council will also terminate its contract with British Telecom subsidary BT Ignite on June 17, and continue working with partner PCL on expanding the card. Plans include easier public transport payments, reduced car parking fees, and better monitoring of council services. It is hoped the card will be used by 45,000 residents by the end of next year, with some of the costs recouped by streamlining services and several hundred thousand pounds worth of grants also won. Paul Bettison said: "We need to consider value for money, but when we bought our first mainframe for £2 million, everyone was up in arms, but now computers are part of every day life." Opposition Labour leader Anne Shillcock said: "I can see how committed Paul Bettison is to it and I understand what he sees are the benefits, but one of the most important points is value for money. "We have still got to look at that aspect, because it is a concern for me. "Free school meals will also only be successful when all the schools are using the cards, at the moment we only have one, and we need to continue to push this." What do you think of the Smartcard scheme? Is it a convenient way to pay for services or an expensive waste of money? Write to Colin George at the Bracknell News, 2nd floor Ocean House, The Ring, Bracknell, or email editor@bracknellnews.co.uk [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] |
| Subject | Author | Date |
| Reversal of prior year profit, exchange movement and equity losses applicable to Prepayment Cards Limited – 13,990 financial year 2 | ERG 6/10/03----ERG is currently finalising an agreement that will see its shareholding in PCL move from 47% to 55% | Monday, October 06, 03:33:03am |