Work is well underway to make Hertsmere's Civic Offices Millennium Bug-proof, councillors heard on Wednesday last week.

Computer bosses at the borough's Elstree Way headquarters have asked all their hardware and software suppliers to guarantee their products will not "crash" on January 1, 2000.

In the early days of computers, memory capacity was limited. For efficiency's sake, the IT industry used two digits to represent the year, rather than four.

Computers which recognise the year 2000 as only 00 could easily malfunction.

Members of the policy and resources committee heard most computer programmes dealing with the council's "priority systems" -- such as council tax, business rates, housing benefits and payroll -- were relatively new and therefore millennium compliant.

And it is hoped all those which are not will be repaired or replaced in good time.

But a report before members said bugs in mini-computers, or "embedded chips", inside equipment such as fire alarm, air conditioning units and lifts were proving more difficult to squash.

No suppliers have told Hertsmere that any equipment will stop working, but the report says that because many companies fear legal action after January 1, many responses to inquiries have been vague.

So far, £65,760 worth of upgrade costs have been identified and council officers are optimistic that the whole of the £200,000 budgeted to combat the problem need not be spent.

A council spokeswoman urged all businesses in Hertsmere to check all their computer-based systems and electronic equipment.

"While the council is working hard to protects its interests, it becomes more obvious as the days go by how dependent all businesses are on each other.

"The council might know its own computers will work, but if the companies that provide our critical supplies are unable to carry out their contracts the council is still vulnerable," she said.

The council recommends all businesses call the Government's Action 2000 helpline on 0845 601 2000 for a free action pack.

And Business Link Hertfordshire has also set up free briefings for small businesses to provide practical advice. For more details, telephone 01707 647359.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000.Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.