WIRRAL Council is facing a backlash over plans to launch a monthly council newspaper that could be in breach of government guidelines on local authority publicity, reports the News Media Association (NMA).

The NMA has been at the centre of the campaign to abolish council newspapers that compete against independent commercial titles for readers and advertisers. The campaign led to then Communities Secretary Eric Pickles to introduce new government guidelines stating that council publications should be published no more frequently than quarterly.

Wirral Council’s plans, which appear to breach the guidelines, have led to all 21 members of the council’s Conservative group calling in the plans, according to the Wirral Globe.

More on this story on the NMA website here.