Code on council publicity comes into force

The revised code on council publicity has come into force today (1 April), with Communities Secretary Eric Pickles continuing his attacks on town hall “Pravdas”.

The Government Code of Recommended Practice on Local Authority Publicity limits the publication of council newspapers to no more than four issues a year.

The changes will also see local authorities stopped from hiring lobbyists to influence public officials, MPs, political parties or the government. They are also banned from providing stands or displays at party conferences.

Pickles said: "These new rules make it crystal clear that taxpayers' money should be for protecting front line services not printing Pravdas or paying for professional lobbyists to put the squeeze on Whitehall. Publicity straying into propaganda clearly crosses the line of appropriate public funding whilst film reviews and TV listings sit far beyond the realm of council news."

Ministers claimed the rise in funded council newspapers had put pressure on independent newspapers that hold council leaders to account.

The code, which applies to all local authorities in England, sets out seven principles for council publicity, namely that it should:

• Be lawful
• Be cost effective
• Be objective
• Be even-handed
• Be appropriate
• Have regard to equality and diversity, and
• Be issued with care during periods of heightened sensitivity.

A copy of the new code can be viewed here.