Rising cost won't halt council 'propaganda' (From The Oxford Times)

Rising cost won't halt council 'propaganda'

5:00pm Saturday 28th January 2012 in Bicester By Oliver Evans

A COUNCIL has refused to axe a “propaganda” magazine it delivers to homes, despite costs rising by almost a third.

Cherwell District Council has said it will not follow in the footsteps of two other county authorities in scrapping its magazine to save cash.

And other cash-strapped councils have said they have no plans to close their magazines, which cost the taxpayer more than £100,000 a year to produce.

Critics have accused the publications of peddling one-sided stories about councils, but bosses said they are vital to inform residents.

Costs for the four editions of Cherwell Link magazine went from £41,430 in 2010 to £52,895 last year.

Labour group leader Les Sibley backed two editions a year, saying: “Whilst it gives out useful information, sometimes it can be used as political propaganda.”

The latest issue includes articles on a new food bank in Banbury, new flats for OAPs and “local democracy week”.

Last year it featured articles about the “vibrant” controversial eco-town plan for Bicester and ran an article headlined ‘Why parking charges had to increase’.

Conservative cabinet member for finance Ken Atack said: “It is merely to get over the good stories that are of interest to our ratepayers. There is no political message in there at all.”

Oxfordshire County Council axed Oxon News to save £180,000 a year in 2010, and Vale of White Horse District Council shut UnValed to cut £39,600 last year.

Oxford City Council spent £23,359 on Your Oxford, cut from three to two annual editions in 2010, but this fell to £14,995 due to advertising income. It spent £20,392 after advertising in 2010.

Articles in the latest edition include the reopening of the city’s Old Fire Station and a new Investors in People award.

Deputy leader Ed Turner said there are no plans to axe it, adding: “It is a useful way of sharing information about how people’s money is spent.”

South Oxfordshire District Council’s Outlook is produced three times a year under contract. It cost £35,516 in 2010, while 2011 is being re-tendered.

Spokesman Martin Crabtree said the magazine is “excellent value for money” and helps residents without the Internet.

But Liberal Democrat group leader David Turner said: “You don’t improve services by telling the public how good you are.”

West Oxfordshire District Council said its twice yearly Creating Futures magazine cost about £14,000 last year. Resident surveys rated it highly, it said.

The Government announced a code for council publications last February which demanded they are “objective” and “cost effective”.