Seen a council worker on their phone lately? Like many businesses that have integrated smartphone technology into their day-to-day operations, Ashburton District Council has recently expanded the use of this technology across the organisation.

Smartphones and tablets are now helping a wider range of staff complete their daily tasks more efficiently, saving on paper and administrative tasks.

“Building inspectors, roading engineers and learn-to-swim instructors have been using smart technology for some time, but now with our new online health and safety system rolled out, we have expanded this to even more staff,” Council People & Capability Manager, Sarah Mosley says.

“Our gardeners and mower operators are also completing pre-start audits, reviewing traffic management plans, reporting near misses or events and submitting additional work requests all via their phone.”

From time to time, Council receives calls from residents about staff using their mobile phones while in a public setting, especially for open spaces and EA Networks Centre staff, but Ms Mosley says the tools are integral to helping Council deliver everyday services and activities.

"Sometimes, it might look like staff are unnecessarily on their phones, but actually, they're completing their duties," she explains.

“The technology allows these tasks to be completed on the spot then and there, which means less administration time is required later on and we are less reliant on using hardcopy paper documents, which is a great outcome.”