Lib Dems axe ‘waste of money’ Love Hull magazine

FINAL EDITION: The last publication of the city council’s Love Hull magazine

By Simon Bristow

Hull’s ruling Liberal Democrat group has axed the city council’s Love Hull magazine, saving £140,000 a year.

The current summer edition, which was delivered to households across the city just days ago, will be the last.

In a statement, the Liberal Democrat group said: “We said we would scrap Love Hull magazine, and we will. This is the final edition. The delivery of this final edition was booked before we took over and couldn't be cancelled without wasting even more taxpayers’ money.”

Group and city council leader, Councillor Mike Ross, said: “This Lib Dem Council is committed to changing the way things have been run, and in the final issue of Love Hull, we did just that by asking residents to get in touch with us and share their views, but now its time to use other ways to talk to residents at less cost.

“Sadly in the past, the Labour bosses just used it as a publication to promote themselves, spending thousands of pounds to do so.

“From now, Love Hull, which costs £140,000 a year, will no longer be a council publication, saving taxpayers thousands of pounds. This will save in future years and will go towards making the council one that listens to residents and prioritises the things that matter most to them.”

‘THIS WILL SAVE TAXPAYERS THOUSANDS OF POUNDS’: City council leader Mike Ross

Coun Ross wrote the introduction to the Summer 2022 edition, but in it makes no mention of it being the last.

In the introduction, he writes: “In this edition of Love Hull you will find the very popular What’s On guide - showcasing the many opportunities for activities in the city over the coming months. We are also taking you behind the scenes with some of the council’s frontline services, giving you more insight into how they work for you.

“Finally, you will also find contact details for the city’s 57 councillors at the end of the magazine, inclduing your own ward councillors. Please remember councillors are your representatives and are there to work for you - so please contact them with your ideas about how to make your neighbourhood and our city an even better place to live.”

The Lib Dems have long criticised spending on the magazine - which is delivered free to residents three times a year - and had pledged to scrap it.

Since taking control of the Guildhall in the Local Elections in May, ending 11 years of Labour rule, the Lib Dems have announced a “Roads Summit” consultation looking at ways of tackling congestion, and ruled out a site close to The Deep visitor attraction as the location for a proposed cruise terminal.