COUNCIL services are in danger of meltdown unless an emergency underground computer system is built, it was revealed last night. Tax records, benefit claims, rent bills and vital council documents would be lost forever in the event of a city centre electricity black-out. Civic leaders are expected to approve plans to build a £400,000 emergency back-up system to be housed under council offices in Dale Street. The council's computer mainframe is located in India Buildings on Water Street but there is currently no back-up system. If a fire or terrorist attack destroyed the building or if there was a black-out which lasted more than 30-minutes, every computer record held by the council would be lost. Losing the council's records would bring the city to its knees and require millions of pounds for new information to be gathered. The risk was first highlighted last year by the District Auditor. In a report to members, the executive member for resources, Cllr Chris Curry said: "In the event of a disaster at the data centre, the council would not be able to instigate an acceptable back-up service. "For instance, there is no generator backup for power outages and in the event of a power failure the UPS (emergency power system) provides only 30 minutes backup." The report recommends the council's executive board urgently approves a plan to build a back-up computer system in the basement of the Municipal Buildings on Dale Street. It calls on city leaders to award a contract without risking the delay a tendering competition would bring. Labour leader Cllr Joe Anderson, said: "It's a worry that we have been going on like this for so long. "A terrorist attack or something as small as a power failure caused by someone digging up the road could lead to the city grinding to a halt and lead to a huge financial cost. I hope it is put right quickly." The new computer centre would also house equipment currently in the Tinlings Building in Great Crosshall Street and offices in Renshaw Street. City leaders are determined to make the council a "high-technology" authority. In December approval was given for futuristic 'pavement pods', which will allow members of the public to pay their council tax bills, book on-line tickets and report complaints to the council on street corners. Councillors are expected to approve the plans for the back-up system at a meeting of the executive board today. | 
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