Opposition Tories call the move a “waste of money” which could have been better spent on fixing broken lifts and heating systems instead

An electronic notice board at Bliss House — An electronic noticeboard at Bliss House

Enfield Council has defended its use of electronic noticeboards in social housing blocks after being slammed by Conservative councillors for spending more than £134,000 on installing and running them.

Tories in Enfield this week revealed that LED screens costing £2,478 each had been installed in scores of tower blocks across Enfield – often in buildings with significant maintenance issues, such as faulty lifts, heating problems and damp.

The devices are used as an alternative to old-fashioned noticeboards, providing more comprehensive information for council tenants.

A council spokesperson said this week that the LED boards had become “critical in terms of resident safety” because tenants and leaseholders can be provided with “real-time information on crisis situations” as they can be updated at the push of a button. They also claimed they would save money in the long-term thanks to savings made on printing costs.

However, two senior Conservative councillors criticised the move to install them, drawing a parallel with cutbacks to emergency housing repairs made last year.

Shadow housing spokesperson Lee Chamberlain said: “Electronic noticeboards are an expensive indulgence which illustrates why this Labour council is heading for bankruptcy. Labour are willing to leave people living in dangerous tower blocks, while they play with toys that mean they don’t have to visit housing estates in person.”

Shadow finance spokesperson James Hockney added: “Every pound of taxpayers’ money needs to be spent wisely. The council should be focusing its efforts on fixing council homes with mould and damp, faulty tower block lifts and all the maintenance issues council tenants raise with the council.

“Labour claim they have no money – yet then waste £134,000 on electronic screens when the pin notice boards suffice.”

Asked to respond to the criticisms made, a council spokesperson said: “The introduction of electronic noticeboards has dramatically increased the opportunity for resident engagement, feedback and communication on a regular basis.

“The boards are used to communicate on a variety of themes, from local events to consultations and surveys. The boards are critical in terms of resident safety, where tenants and leaseholders can be provided real time information on crisis situations and updated regularly, at pace.

“Following a trial at three locations in 2023, residents told us in a survey that they found the noticeboards useful and were happy they could be notified about things important to them, quickly.

“We will continue to listen to and work with our tenants and leaseholders on what they would like to see more of and how best to deliver these requests. The council has also found that with remote electronic updates, officers are more available to focus on other, more pressing areas of the housing service.

“In the long-term, the electronic notice boards will prove to save on costs, given that the council will rely less on printed materials. However, residents and leaseholders should rest assured that the council will continue to use a variety of means of communications to ensure everyone in the community is up-to-date and well-informed on all aspects of council housing and services.”

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