OPPOSITION councillors in Wirral have launched a backlash against the first edition of the town hall's own monthly newspaper branding it a "propaganda" vehicle for the controlling Labour group.

The 32-page paper is being distributed to homes this week and contains two highly-controversial issues in which cabinet councillors are quoted at length.

But to the fury of Liberal Democrat and Conservatives, no counter-balancing argument has been sought from them.

The problem Labour faces is that Government "publicity code" rules stipulate town hall newspapers must only be published quarterly and should not resemble commercial newspapers. Wirral intends to publish 12 editions per year.

Lib-Dem councillor Stuart Kelly said: "I am disappointed that this council-sponsored newspaper has chosen to include news stories about two politically contentions issues - the Ofsted inspection of children's care services and the proposal to change bin collection arrangements - without opposition parties being able to contribute their thoughts.

"This publication is just a ratepayer-funded mouth piece for Labour cabinet members to spin Wirral's inadequacies without challenge."

Conservative group leader Cllr Jeff Green said: "As predicted this 'propaganda on the rates' vanity project has gone out of its way to put the best possible spin on several very political decisions.

"I am particularly concerned the cabinet member for children's services has been given a platform to defend their abysmal Ofsted inspection without challenge.

"This was precisely our concern all along and we will be sending this 'Town Hall Pravda' to the Department for Communities and Local Government highlighting the many ways it has breached the Government's publicity code."

His colleague Cllr Chris Blakeley said: "The front page alone contains a disingenuous and misleading Labour headline about their 'free' fireworks display.

"The display is costing £60,000 of taxpayers' money - there is nothing remotely 'free' about it.

"What a shame the Labour leader Phil Davies is away on his two-week trip to China the week his newspaper came out.

"And what a shame his newspaper didn't care to mention that fact."

Kevin MacCallum, Wirral Council’s head of communications, said: “Our residents’ survey last year told us we weren’t communicating well enough with residents. It’s almost impossible for the council to do its job well if its main customers – Wirral residents – do not know what services it provides and what help is on offer.

“This is why keeping residents well-informed is incredibly important and it’s why we made improving our communications a high priority.

“Community organisations, residents groups and charities have really welcomed Wirral View; similar to the council they see it as a chance to improve their ability to communicate with the people they are trying to help."

He continued: “We’ve been able to get this done without increasing what we spend on communications by a penny.

“Simply diverting advertising costs away from other channels has enabled us to massively increase our ability to communicate with residents.

"It is a solid business case, and I hope people will find Wirral View useful and informative.”

A representative from the Department for Communities and Local Government told the Globe last week: "Spending on council newspapers undermines the independent free press.

“We have been clear we expect all councils to comply with the local government publicity rules.

“If they do not we will consider what further action to take.”

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