Labour spends £396,000 on publication that few read, say Lib Dems

2.20.17pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 23rd Jan 2007

The Liberal Democrats have expressed dismay over admissions by Haringey Labour that it is spending £396,000 per year of council money on a publication that very few households read. The revelation follows a probe by Lib Dem Councillor Susan Oatway (Alexandra ward), after Labour claims in the Council chamber last week that their magazine 'Haringey People' was popular with local residents.

The council produces 97,000 copies of 'Haringey People' each month, and was the subject of extravagant claims in the council chamber last week, by Labour's Deputy Leader, that a survey showed it was popular with 90% of local residents. However Lib Dem inquiries have forced Labour to admit that only 465 residents responded - less than half a per cent of the total circulation.

Liberal Democrat councillors are questioning the cost of the publication - and are accusing the Labour leadership of being out of touch with how to communicate effectively with residents in Haringey.

Cllr Susan Oatway says:

"Writing a newsletter is not the only way in which a modern council, which claims to be concerned about the environment, should be seeking to communicate with people in Haringey. Given the huge cost of Haringey people, perhaps Labour should produce real news for local residents at a much lower cost."

Cllr John Oakes, Liberal Democrat Community Involvement spokesperson says:

"If people were reading it, you would expect a much greater response, but this is clearly not the case. Perhaps if 'Haringey People' reflected the real things the people of Haringey were worried about rather than just a fluffy view of what the council is up to more people would be engaged".

Notes to editors

Explanation of figures used - 97,000 editions of 'Haringey People' printed per month at a cost of 34p per edition (97,000 x 0.34p = £32,980) - yearly figure 32,980 x 12 = £395,760 (source - Cllr Lorna Reith).

Deputy Leader Lorna Reith said on 8 th January 2007 at Full Council that 90% of residents thought that 'Haringey People' was useful and 90% thought the design was good or very good. However, the 90% represented just 465 people who responded to the survey.