Council Newspaper East End Life Faces Uncertain Future

Flagship council newspaper East End Life faces an uncertain future after Tower Hamlets Council launched a review of the weekly publication this week.

The review, ordered by mayor Lutfur Rahman, will look at “cost-effective ways of getting news about council services into the community” and could see the publication scrapped or its frequency reduced.

The review, which will include a consultation with councillors, the public and other stakeholders, aims to ensure that council services are providing “value for money”.

Council publications are coming under scrutiny as councils across the UK seek to make savings.

Fortnightly Lambeth Life has been axed by Lambeth Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council has scrapped its North Yorkshire Times publication.

iNorth Yorkshire County Council is now embarking on a six-month trial that will see the council pay for editorial space in local newspapers to publish statutory public notices and announcements. The council hopes to save £244,000 a year through the scheme.

East Riding Council’s monthly East Riding News was axed before Christmas while publication of Hounslow Council’s Hounslow Matters magazine has been temporarily suspended.

As part of its budget proposals, Southwark Council is proposing reducing the frequency of publication of its Southwark Life magazine from 10 times a year to four.

Hammersmith & Fulham Council’s H&F News is also set to close.

For more information please contact Paul Sinker on 020 763 274 24 or sinkerp@newspapersoc.org.uk.