PEOPLE are now able to access information at any time about the decisions Gateshead Borough Council makes - saving money and the environment.

Agendas and papers for meetings of the council are now on-line at www.gates head.gov.uk/councilpapers, with people being able to instantly access information via the website, saving tonnes of paper each year.

In addition to fortnightly cabinet and monthly council meetings, dozens of other meetings a year are organised by the council to decide licensing and planning applications, school admissions, council policies and employment issues.

With information having to be made available to people by law, the council found itself having to use several tonnes of paper to print agendas and minutes of meetings each year.

Internet access is available free to registered library users at borough libraries.