Lib Dem Leader of the Opposition on Haringey Council, Cllr Neil Williams, has expressed his concern after the Lib Dems uncovered figures that show the annual cost of producing the Haringey Council’s magazine, Haringey People, is in excess of £450,000.

The Council figures were revealed to the Liberal democrats following an enquiry into current costs after Haringey Council proposed an additional increase of £165,000 to cover the postage cost of the monthly publication.

The Council disclosed that budget cost for design, print and distribution of Haringey People is £294,600. With the additional cost of postage pushes the final figure to £458,400. It is unclear whether this cost includes staffing, and the Lib Dems are investigating.

The Lib Dems feel that with Haringey Council under pressure on many vital services, they have little excuse to spend almost £500,000 of local taxpayers’ money on a glossy campaigning magazine.

Cllr Williams says that the magazine should not be about Labour Councillors and David Lammy, but should solely be a publication that gives useful information to residents about issues that concern them.

Cllr Williams (Highgate) comments:

“I am very concerned that local people are having to pay hundreds of thousands of pounds on what the Council sometimes uses as a Labour campaigning tool.

“If the Lib Dems take control we will be looking to overhaul the magazine and make it into something that gives better value and is more useful to local residents.”