This afternoon I took great pleasure in putting the latest edition of Local Government First magazine through the paper shredder and then into the paper recycling. This was instead of my usual method of disposal which is to put it straight into the recycling bag (as I’ve reported previously, after being promised the new recycling bins in spring 2008, Walkden residents won’t see any sign of them until well into 2009).
Like most Councillors I very rarely read through First – in fact I’ve yet to meet a Councillor who actually admits to reading it. Which begs the question, why does it even exist at all?
Now I’ve been pretty vociferous recently about Salford City Council’s ridiculous use of taxpayers’ money on publicity, and I see no reason why the Local Government Association should be any different. Mailing out a glossy magazine to thousands of Councillors across the country every week or so is an expensive business – especially when (first of all) the magazine does not get read and (secondly) the entire content is available online anyway.
Sending an email out to all 19000 or so Councillors every week instead of posting the magazine would save upwards of £250000 per annum (probably considerably more) in mailing and production costs. That may be a tiny fraction of the money spent on Local Government in this country but as Councillors we are supposed to be cutting down on waste and setting a good example. The LGA (and yes before someone points this out I am well aware it is Conservative-led) is not immune from that and indeed should be taking a lead. Scrapping Local Government First would be a good start.
I hear that Tory HQ is likely to axe about 10% of the party’s staff in a cost-cutting drive, with the axe falling most heavily at Millbank. What’s your view on this one Iain?
It’s unfortunate and I feel sorry for those staff who may be losing their jobs, but political parties are no less immune to the current economic climate than any other set of large organisations.
hi Iain,
Maybe they should get Cllr Merry on the case, im sure he could present the spending as a saving.
I will admit I do read First. Its great if you live in London, the amounts of events it promotes up North is small. Its also a good mouthpiece for the LGA.
I do like the letters and some the ideas of other councillors, that are put forward in it but as you say, its available on line.
What do you think of the Total Politics magazine we get every month.
I must confess I was quite sceptical of whether Total Politics would survive but I’m gradually being won around. They’ve managed to get big names from all parties on board and the tie-ins with Iain Dale’s Blogging Guide at Conference guaranteed a core audience.
Of course Total Politics is also a privately-funded venture. I have no idea whether it makes a profit or loss but it is their money and they can do as they please with it. With taxpayers’ money we have a duty to be more responsible.
Perhaps in all fairness you ought to point out that the LGA is under tory leadership. I must admit that I tend to agree with Martin about a London bias
Just realised I had not put in exclamationmark to indicate irony in last remark in case someone points out that you had already pointed it out!
you will be pleased to know Ian that I passed on your view about first at the LGA today
Was that along the lines of:
Even the Tories on my council think that you Tories are making a pig’s ear of the LGA communications strategy … and an expensive pig’s ear at that
??
might be!