Local authority publicity code
Read the full outcome
Detail of outcome
The consultation on the Code of recommended practice on local authority publicity, issued on 29 September 2010, invited responses on proposals to revise the content of the publicity code to give effect to the government’s commitment to stop unfair competition by local authority newspapers.
The Department for Communities and Local Government Select Committee also undertook a short inquiry looking at the draft revised Code on 6 December 2010.
This document sets out the government’s response to the consultation responses and to the committee’s report.
Original consultation
Consultation description
The government is consulting on a new Code of Recommended Practice on Local Authority Publicity (‘the Publicity Code’) that authorities have to have regard to. The proposed new code will be underpinned by 7 guiding principles.
To give effect to the government’s commitment to stop unfair competition by local authority newspapers, the proposed new Code now contains specific guidance on the frequency, content and appearance of local authority newspapers or magazines. It also proposes to prohibit the use of lobbyists where the expenditure is intended to influence local people on political issues.