Forum Topic

Around Ealing - 'Money-Wasting Propaganda Sheet'

A number of things occur to me about this issue.Firstly, to the best of my recollection the Conservative kept Around Ealing going for the period they ran Ealing Council. Secondly, the Council have a statutory responsibility to inform residents of certain things and this magazine probably fulfills these which means that closing it wouldn't save that much money.Thirdly, although most like me probably dispose of this magazine unread it probably is the best way to reach the elderly who don't use the internet and are not able to get a copy of the local paper.All that said the magazine and the Ealing News Extra site do seem to be trying to be a source of news rather than public information. If they stopped doing that they could easily reduce the costs and make the operation less contentious.

Andy Jones ● 2597d29 Comments

The Political interference from an opposing Central Government could be a tricky question. But perhaps Rules on Editorial Governance of Local Information magazines would be useful if it was a cross party rule that was brought in. This would make it potentially a useful magazine to have. Also a limit on the budget?? That would be more constructive

Peter Chadburn ● 2569d

Sir Eric Pickles used to be quite hot on this when he was the relevant minister. He was very concerned about certain councils' 'propaganda on the rates'. Now his successor has more pressing matters to think of but ultimately some sort of regulation of this kind of thing will probably be necessary.

Andy Jones ● 2569d

I submitted some suggestions to the magazine editor, including having a page for opposition leaders to state their cases and also a reader’s letter page so we can have a say on matters that affect us. Needless to say I’ve heard nothing back.Good idea about an editorial board, but don’t see it happening.

Simon Hayes ● 2576d

Don't think Ealing is particularly corrupt by the standards of Councils across London. It may have a recruitment problem hanging onto the best people but that is a function of the cost of living here rather than any institutional failing. One of the regular contributors to Rotten Boroughs apparently lives just outside the borough boundary so you can be fairly sure they would feature there if they ever did anything particularly terrible.Going back to the issue of the Council magazine I don't think Ealing are unique in running one but the scope of their operation seems to have expanded slowly as a sort of mission creep. There are two clear problems - cost and political bias. If the Council appointed an editorial board including councillors from the Conservatives and the Lib Dems you could end the latter problem overnight.

Andy Jones ● 2576d

>>Simon Hayes asks>> can anyone explain why they (Ealing Council) have targets for collection that ignore 25 per cent of the monies due?Good question, succinctly presented.  I can only suggest that all local councils are corrupt, and some are more corrupt than others?

Tony Heath ● 2578d

I could not agree more with Mr Hayes’ post of 7.3.2019.  I would only add that it has given rise to a corrupt culture of unaccountability on the part of Bell and other councillors, who take the cash for being representatives but fail to represent if the matter is “problematical” for Ealing Council or its officers.I am thinking of my ward councillor and Deputy Council Leader Yvonne Johnson, the former school teacher who now supports the closure of libraries!  She has failed to represent me because her help, had it been given, would have exposed the misconduct of a Council officer.  Senior officers also “follow the Leader” and misconduct themselves in the secure knowledge that the Council will support them and, if it is found guilty of maladministration, it is we, the council-tax payers, who foot the bill for any fine the LGO imposes.Take recent recruit, “teen-boy” Tony Clements (that’s what you’d think from the photo on his twitter page).  He’s fitting in nicely, ignoring uncomfortable correspondence just as Julian does, forgetful that one of the 7 Principles in Public Life is accountability.  One wonders whether some of these officers bring their ugly talents with them or whether they are part of an induction course.  How did Mr Clements get his job?  A niffy bit of networking when, as I believe, he met Julian at a conference?  A meeting of minds to turn the Borough into an opportunity-park for developers.  Or perhaps he was recruited because he is a supporter of the Labour Party.    It should not happen but this is the rotten Borough of Ealing. 

Andrew Farmer ● 2578d

So, we are constantly told that Ealing needs to save money because of central government cuts, etc, etc. However, it seems that our ever-so-competent council can't even rouse itself to collect all the monies that it can legally claim.Here's a snippet from the latest cabinet meeting:Monthly targeted collection is slightly up for Council Tax but remains slightlybelow target, with figures at the end of September of 74.8% against a target of75.0%. Business Rates collection is down and is now slightly below target, with70.2% collected to date against a target of 70.5%.So, we're about to be told how much more we are going to have to fork out in Council Tax for the coming year, yet they can't even collect the amounts due for last year!And can anyone explain why they have targets for collection that ignore 25 per cent of the monies due?

Simon Hayes ● 2580d

The governance of Ealing is becoming ever more centralised. Policies are hatched by a small group of councillors centred round Julian Bell, based on whatever personal agenda he wishes to pursue. These policies are then ratified in cabinet before passing on the nod through full council.You only have to look at the legislative agenda over the past 12 months - CPZ charges raised on the pretext that it will benefit the environment regardless of the impact on lower income households. But at the same time non residents enticed into the borough in their cars with the lure of cheap parking.The latest scam to fleece unsuspecting locals is the near doubling of fines for ‘littering’. No doubt penalty notice issues will soar and this will be presented as yet another great success from Ealing Council. Meanwhile the fly tipping will continue to rise unpunished.Labour councillors no longer represent the needs of their wards, they are there to do the master’s bidding. Information is tightly controlled, controversial issues are ignored or, at best fudged over with excuses about cuts from central government and all the rest of it.I guarantee that not one Labour councillor will fight to stop library closures if volunteers can’t be found to run them.Meanwhile the populace of the borough will be fed the Bell version of the truth in the pages of a magazine we find but in which we have no say.Frankly it’s shameful but, hey, if you voted this lot in then you get what you deserve.

Simon Hayes ● 2583d

Whilst Around Ealing ought to be a source of information about what new policies are going to be implemented for the whole of the borough, it should be down to each individual ward councillors to pass on to their residents informations that will affect them. As an ex councillor and married to another ex councillor, as well as association chairman it was our role to keep residents of both our wards and our constituency up to date with what was happening. We did this by distributing a ward wide leaflet at least three times a year prior to the wards Forum and whenever necessary flyers to particular areas that would be affected. Prior to our ward forum we had meetings with various officers so that we were informed and updated on how things were proceeding in our wards. We saw our role as being the representatives of our residents, rather than what it is happening now, the representatives of the council.When was the last time that you have received a leaflet from your local labour councilllors? The question one needs to answer is: who runs Ealing Council? The elected representatives or the  non elected officers? As for Around Ealing in its present format is no more nor less than a labour propaganda magazine telling its reader not what they need to know but what the council wants them to know.

Rosa Popham ● 2583d

I don't think it's just down to the latest bottom in the big chair, everyone in the big seat from the past took part. What is certain is that a brilliant idea has been let down. Its usefulness as a tool of information is comical. More local content that reflects the questions that the community are asking is needed, questions that impact local quality of life.

Dennis Bailey ● 2586d

The choice of which information is or is not provided is very telling about the mentality of the council leadership.

Peter Chadburn ● 2586d

I'm sure that Around Ealing isn't often enough to show the planning applications but with a bit of planning it should surely be possible to give some information on consultations.Certainly it would be possible to point out where information can be found on the Council website or in which newspaper!

Philippa Bond ● 2586d

Yes it is what is missing that is crucial. God forbid that proposals that might be unpopular are shown to the masses. Yes it should be just 4 times a year and requires balance rather than being Pravda!!

Peter Chadburn ● 2589d

Typo, I typed in Ealing Today where i get my local information instead of Around Ealing where i should be getting it from

Dennis Bailey ● 2590d

When i read it i get the feeling i picked up a brochure from the Tourist Information shops. There is so much information that, if i had known, my life would have been a lot easier over the years. Local information that makes the bit between getting up in the morning and going to bed at night a little easier is only receiving minor lip service, yet that information is probably what the original driving force behind Ealing Today was.The editorial plot has been well and truly lost

Dennis Bailey ● 2590d

I agree with everything you say. I am an octogenarian and in the past it was good to receive Around Ealing . It was packed with information useful and interesting to the likes of myself. Now I consider it to be a waste of space. The information you postulated is really important . . The  magazine should reflect more on the day to day lives of those living in Ealing.

Beryl Bashford ● 2590d

No idea where you the Ealing Gazette has gone. It’s sister paper in Hounslow is widely available but that only carries information about that borough.One supposes there must be one copy of the Gazette somewhere and the council publishes its notices there to comply with statutory requirements. Of course, if nothing is widely seen then nobody can complain or formally object.As we have seen over the years, if you control what the public knows then you control everything.

Simon Hayes ● 2590d

Completely agree about several of those points.I can't remember how we used to know about the Ward Forums but however it was it must have changed because we stopped hearing about them and I'm not sure that we now still have them.  (I think they were also suddenly reduced in number just when we started to go.)I definitely agree about Consultations - the majority of people have no idea of what is happening but then how many people would go and have a look to see if anything was listed.I suppose I shouldn't say this but I got bored with the pages of pictures of Councillors because they appeared each time and I wanted to read some more of what was happening.It is very interesting how few people can name the Leader of the Council both in LBE and in LBH.Who buys a local paper nowadays?  I hardly ever see one and don't have the time or energy to go out searching.  This of course was where the planning applications used to be listed.

Philippa Bond ● 2591d

I have made some suggestions to the editor of Around Ealing about how to make it a more balanced and representative magazine and I’m awaiting his response.My main issue, as I have said before, is that the Council  shouldn’t be spending so much money on this publication. If it was privately owned it would have been scrapped years ago because losses of over £100,000 a year are unsustainable.I would propose a smaller magazine published four times s year (as happens in neighbouring Hounslow). Politically neutral, so Julian Bell’s page simply tells us non-controversial facts - as Steve Curran does in Hounslow - rather than use it to push his political agenda. Otherwise there would have to be a balancing piece from an opposition leader. There are two sides to every argument, as Brexit has sadly proven.There should be comprehensive listings of all ward forums, dates of council meetings and full contact details of every councillor.There should be relevant information about forthcoming consultations and details of major disruptions likely to be caused by, for example, planned building or road works.If policy decisions are to be highlighted in the magazine then these must be presented in a balanced way. Take the increase in CPZ charges, which featured in a double page spread last autumn. This was publicised after the relevant votes had been taken. There was widespread opposition to it, not least because the reasons put forward for making the changes were supported by rather debatable evidence. Yet there was no reflection of this in the article nor any right if response from people affected by the decision.The Council is making a big thing of Ealing residents ‘getting involved’ in the community and I would suggest that it extends that to the pages of this magazine. We pay for it, after all. But certainly less should be spent on it.

Simon Hayes ● 2591d

Around Ealing could be a very useful publication, but in its present format a complete waste of trees.  I support Simon in that it never has any information about what is happening in the borough. Consultations, if mentioned at all are hidden on a  bottom left hand corner. Dates for Scrutiny meetings, Ward Forums, major planing developments never mentioned. LBE complained that atendance at Ward Forums was poor, apart from the initiated nobody knew about them. I would support the retention of the maazine if there was a page every month of forthcoming meetings and events. Pehaps LBE should consult  - joke - and see what the council tax payers would like to see. Arthur and Judy Breens' Neighbours' Paper, which is supported by local advertising is far more informative as to what is happening in the borough.Not everyone has internet access so I support in theory a printed paper, but certainly not in its present guise.

Libby Kemp ● 2591d

So have you made any constructive suggestions?I had another look at the last one.  I particularly liked the back cover - which was one of the ugly and informative pieces!http://ealingnewsextra.co.uk/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Around-Ealing-Feb-19_v9.pdfI can understand that if you did not vote for the political party that believes in reducing the size of state involvement you might not like to be reminded that it is now considered by members of that party as well as the opposition that the cuts have been going on for too long.Outsourcing has not always been successful and tbh in some cases completely disastrous eg with Carillion where there are buildings half-finished eg a hospital and sub-contractors who felt safe because it was government work have gone under as a result.  We then end up picking up the bill and something that was supposed to have saved money hasn't and has cost more.https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/jan/15/surge-in-outsourcing-after-carillion-collapse-staggering-unions-sayIf you can get through the FT's wall you will find similar articles. 

Philippa Bond ● 2591d

Sadly the Council won’t give us useful information such as planned roadworks or indeed planning applications. There would be no room for any of the non news that makes up this magazine.Traditionally planning applications and road closures, as well as consultations on new schemes have appeared in the local press every week. I was probably one of the few people who scoured those pages every time, but that was an occupational habit. Now it’s impossible to find out what’s planned- the ongoing roadworks on South Ealing Road being a case in point.However, my point is that the Council could make the magazine more informative but cut the costs of producing it so we aren’t funding a party political pamphlet. Don’t see that happening though, not when libraries make such an attractive and easy culling option.I know which I would rather be paying towards.

Simon Hayes ● 2592d

While i think it is a duty of Ealing council to keep everyone informed i do think the magazine is very narrowly focused in its subject matter, almost to the point of being a political flag waver.What about things like advice on not to use the Yeading underpass because of the rapes, stabbings, and gang fights it generates. Why not include a Full telephone directory of numbers that give residents access to EVERY service. Why not include a list of roads that are dangerous to pedestrians due to the new inferior street lightings. Why not include the locations of the 70 odd roadworks in Ealing. What about including all the planned bus diversions.At the moment it is only being used as a political flag waver by ALL the parties to show how good they are. As the magazine is aimed only at the residents of Ealing surely it should reflect more on the day to day lives of those living in Ealing, the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Dennis Bailey ● 2592d

And in the past I'm sure a lot of people would have used it to light the fire - or said they did.I think it is a mistake to close down one of the few places that we hear about all the Council's services where our money is being spent.  A lot of this has also been won in grants because that is how so much is now financed nowadays which means there isn't the same flexibility of how exactly it is spent.Instead of just lobbying the Council - why aren't you lobbying the Government?  If they could get their act together then there would be a lot more money for the libraries and other services.  Who visits the libraries nowadays?  They need to be used for lots of other things and become hubs because sadly not so many people borrow books to read. There just aren't as many people free to volunteer nowadays - many of them are having to look after their parents, their grandchildren and other members of their family in any spare time that they have because of a lack of joined-up care in systems that have lost their experienced staff, are short of money and which consequently don't work properly.

Philippa Bond ● 2592d

Phillipa, you missed my point. The council can certainly tell us there’s a drinking fountain in a park but they don’t need to do it via a full page story with pictures in a magazine subsidised by council tax payers.By their own admission a lot of people who have Around Ealing shoved through their doors don’t even open it, it goes straight into the bin. Now, if you are concerned about environmental impacts consider the energy used to produce 100,000 plus copies, let alone the ink and other nasties used in the production process. These magazines are then transported somehow, no doubt in a non electric vehicle, and then magically make their way to homes across the borough.I know something about journalism and publishing and believe me, this drinking fountain story would have been little more than a NIB in a normal publication.Meanwhile budgets are squeezed elsewhere. Don’t forget this is our money they are spending.

Simon Hayes ● 2595d

Drinking fountains in parks is definitely NOT a non-story.  It is a very topical story.Millions of us are trying to reduce the number of plastic bottles which are dropped as litter and trying to reduce the amount of single-use plastic in our lives.  Using reusable bottles and being able to fill them at water fountains is a part of this:https://www.citytosea.org.uk/https://www.sas.org.uk/news/education-secretary-calls-for-schools-to-go-single-use-plastic-free-by-2022/

Philippa Bond ● 2595d

What is wrong with pointing out hypocrisy? We know funding from central government has been cut. I don’t agree with that and nor do most people. What I and many other people do find hard to fathom is Ealing Council spending more than £100,000 a year telling us about it.Being told that Around Ealing is essential because it’s the only way elderly people know what’s going on is nonsense. Many older people use the internet, despite what we are told.The issue with this magazine is that it fails to report anything in a balanced way. Take the CPZ charges being changed. Not mentioned until after it was a done deal and then only as a good thing, despite huge protests from affected residents.We don’t need six issues a year and we don’t need non-stories about drinking fountains in parks. Put the money saved from cutting back on this vanity project into things that we actually need.

Simon Hayes ● 2596d

I don't know why you are so determined to shut your eyes to the fact that there are continuing consequences to Government cuts to Local Authority funding.  We are lucky to have some way of finding out something about the services that the Council is expected to provide for residents.  If you choose not to read it then you can't be surprised by any changes that are taking place.  It may not tell you everything but you'll find out even less without it.We are part of a bigger world than just Ealing.  The UK Government has been taken to Court and lost three times because of our illegal air pollution and their lack of progress in doing something about it.  The Government has just passed the buck onto the Local Authorities (answers might be a bit controversial and upset the voters).I know you don't like hearing it but there is a problem with the amount of cost cutting that the Government's austerity programme has created.  You can find out more about it in any political colour of newspaper.It is still ongoing:https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/england-council-budget-cuts-government-austerity-social-services-essential-care-safety-a8559486.html

Philippa Bond ● 2596d

Around 13 years ago the then Labour administration promised that this magazine would be funded by advertising revenue. That was in those pre-financial crisis days when there was money for everything. Clearly that has never happened either under the Tories when they were in charge or under Julian Bell.What I am trying to establish is why the council thinks it is still ok to subsidise the magazine when on its very pages Mr Bell tells us time and time again that cuts have to be made. Makes no sense. If this was a privately published magazine operating at this level of losses it would have been closed down years ago.There is also the fact that everything within it is presented with a positive spin for the council. Mr Bell bashes the Tories every issue. Under guidelines from the Department for Communities and Local Government such publications should be balanced and even handed. However, there is no opposing view presented on any issue. Not everyone in Ealing voted Labour and many disagree with this administration’s policies. They have no publicly funded outlet in which to be heard.Take the controversial changes to CPZ charges. Not a whiff of a mention prior to the passing of the policy by the Council, then a double page spread in the autumn pushing the Council’s agenda. What was ignored were the 2,800 people who signed a petition against the policy. Of course, their opinion matters not as it differs from the geniuses sitting in the Town Hall.Compare Ealing to Hounslow. Both Labour run. Hounslow produce four issues per year of its Hounslow Matters magazine. There is no political posturing from its leader Steve Curran, just a relaying of information relevant to residents. Thus there is no need to have balancing responses.We should all be worried about this. There is no local print media examining issues that directly affect the residents of our borough- library closures, parking charge rises, planning decisions, etc - all proceed untroubled by public examination. That’s not democracy folks.

Simon Hayes ● 2597d