Council newspaper

Dear L Barnett

Thank you for your request of information that is being considered. You
may be aware that we have 20 working days in which to respond to Freedom
Of Information (FOI) requests and you will therefore hear from me again
by 1 February 2010 or earlier if possible.

For your information, the Act defines a number of exemptions, which may
prevent release of the information you have requested. There will be an
assessment and if any of the exemption categories apply then some or all
of the information may not be released. You will be informed if this is
the case, including your rights of appeal.

If any of the information you have requested is not contained in a
recorded format, South Norfolk Council is not obliged to create
information for the purpose of responding to your request

There may be a fee payable for 'reasonable disbursement' costs such as
postage and photocopying. This will be considered and you will be
informed if a fee is payable. In this event the fee must be paid before
the information is processed and released. The 20 working day time limit
for responses is suspended until receipt of the payment.

If you have any queries or concerns then please let me know. If you do
contact us again concerning this request, please quote FOI 10-02.

Regards

Emma Nangle
Information Rights Officer
South Norfolk Council
Long Stratton Norwich
NR15 2XE
tel: 01508 533747
email: [South Norfolk District Council request email]
website: www.south-norfolk.gov.uk

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I refer to your Freedom of Information request to which I am now in a
position to respond. I have reproduced your request below along with my
answers for ease of reference.

1. The name, frequency and distribution/circulation of your council
newspaper (by council newspaper I mean the most frequently published
newspaper or magazine intended for mass distribution covering more than
one topic)

The Link is distributed three times per year to 52,000 residents

2. How much it cost to produce and distribute said newspaper in the
last full financial year, and how much was budgeted from council resources
in the financial year 2009/2010

It cost £32,311.06 to produce the Link in 2008/09. The Budget allocated
to the Link in 2008/09 was £29.950

3. How much of that cost is offset by advertising
£1,092.80

4. How much of that advertising, if any, comes from external sources
(ie not from your authority's budgets)?
100% of the above figure is obtained from external sources

5. Which other public sector partners pay to run advertising in your
newspaper, eg PCTs?
None

6. Whether recruitment advertising forms part of the advertising in
your newspaper?
No

7. A copy of an editorial policy guide, if one exists, which governs
the material which is placed in the newspaper, and how it is decided

No such policy exists, therefore, under section 1(1)(a) of the Freedom of
Information Act 2000, I am advising you that the Council does not hold the
information you have requested.

8. A copy of an advertising policy guide, if one exists, which
governs what sort of advertising is suitable.
No such policy exists, therefore, under section 1(1)(a) of the Freedom of
Information Act 2000, I am advising you that the Council does not hold the
information you have requested.

9. The number of people employed to put your newspaper/newsletter
together, including total cost and staff organisation chart

Three part time staff, generally working four weeks prior to publication.

As regards to the total cost, I assume by this you mean the total staff
cost to produce the Link. As I mention above, the production of the Link
is not a full time job and staff work on it four weeks prior to the
publication. The Council does not breakdown staff salaries in terms of the
specific tasks that they carry out as part of their job, therefore, under
section 1(1)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, I am advising you
that the Council does not hold the information you have requested. as
working on the Link is not a full-time job.

I attach a structure chart that relates to the area of the Council that
produces the Link, I have removed the name of one junior member of staff.

<<The Link Strucutre Chart.doc>>

I hope this is of assistance and is sufficient to meet your requirements,
but if, for whatever reason you wish to get back to me, please feel free
to do so. In particular if you are unhappy with the information provided
or how your request was handled please let me know and I will explain how
you can request an internal review of our decision. 

Please quote FOI 10-02 in any further correspondence concerning this
request.

Regards

Emma Nangle
Information Rights Officer
South Norfolk Council
Long Stratton  Norwich
NR15 2XE
tel:         01508 533747
email:    [South Norfolk District Council request email]
website: [1]www.south-norfolk.gov.uk

South Norfolk Council is working to Keep Norfolk Local. For more
information visit www.keepnorfolklocal.com

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References

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