Legal action could be taken against Newham Council unless it stops publishing the Newham Mag.
Eric Pickles has sent a formal letter to the council giving it a two-week ultimatum to stop publishing or explain why they should not face legal action.
A spokesman for the council claimed the Newham mag provides “value-for-money”.
“It [Pickles’ letter] does not provide any reasons for his objection to the Newham Mag, which provides information so residents can access vital services and local activities provided by the Council and its partners,” he said.
“It does so in a value for money way which is increasingly important in the context of ongoing government cuts for local authorities. We remain a strong supporter of independent local media and never seek to compete against it for advertising revenue. Newham Council will respond to the letter in due course.”
Pickles wants the councils to comply with the 2014 local audit and accountability act which includes a publicity code for local authorities.
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