Executive Councillor for Reform and Governance David Sedgwick said ‘This tough decision reflects the reality that the Council faces stark choices in order to mitigate the impact of continued severe funding cuts on frontline public services across Stockport. Reducing the frequency of our free publication to residents is a decision we have made as part of that.
‘Every penny of taxpayer’s money is important and Labour acknowledges this by running a responsible and prudent Executive which is working hard to secure the long-term financial sustainability of the Council.
‘Labour will do everything in our power to safeguard frontline services as much as possible in the face of the cuts being imposed on Stockport, something which was a key focus running through our 2016 manifesto.’
A decision on renewing the existing contract for the production of The Stockport Review, which ended in July 2016, was required over the summer and the Executive altered future arrangements for producing further editions of the paper to save taxpayer’s money.
Whilst there will now be no further editions of the paper this year, The Stockport Review Extra, a digital version of The Stockport Review, will be regularly produced, and how people can sign up to receive this via the Council website will be publicised.
Councillor Sedgwick added ‘The Council is also reflecting the increasing trend towards local people receiving information from and engaging with their Council via digital and online channels.
‘The Council also recognises that all residents don’t have access to the internet, something which we are reflecting via our commitment to assisted digital services across the borough.
‘This new approach will help to modernise how the Council communicates with people across Stockport, will reduce spending on free Council newspapers, and will minimise the impact of the reduction in funding from Central Government on frontline services.’
The next paper edition of The Stockport Review will be produced in July 2017, timed to allow residents to receive annual updates including on adult education and details of their local Councillors.