FORTNIGHTLY ‘LIVING' – NO QUESTIONS ASKED!

Following a question to Council about the cost of ‘Living' by Cllr Clarence Barrett (RA, Cranham), it emerged that the increased distribution from 10 issues a year to 24 issues was carried out without any consultation with the residents of Havering.

On the question of costs for the fortnightly production, Cllr Barrett was informed that the base budget remains at £104,000. Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Barrett said: “I would estimate that the gross annual cost of the fortnightly ‘Living' newspaper in the region of £400,000, with advertising income and public notice revenue used to offset that amount. However, it is far from clear what levels of advertising income are actually being achieved.

“As I have said before, I am not against the publication of the newspaper but I believe that 24 issues a year is far too much. Indeed, in our own budget proposals this year we put forward a £50,000 saving by reducing the issues to every other month. Sadly, that option was voted down by this Administration.

“Ultimately it is the residents of Havering who receive this newspaper and I think it was incumbent on this Administration to ask residents what they actually thought before increasing issues. However, judging from our own on-line poll of over 500 people there would have been a resounding ‘no'!

29.7.08