Press 'monopoly' claims do not pass go (From Western Telegraph)
Get involved: send your pictures, video, news and views by texting WT NEWS to 80360, or email
us
Press 'monopoly' claims do not pass go
4:51pm Monday 8th February 2010 in
A county councillor who complained of a 'monopoly' in the local press in Pembrokeshire had his claims dismissed in a matter of minutes today (Monday).
Councillor Mike Stoddart, whose family sold the Milford Mercury newspaper to Newscom, then owners of the Western Telegraph, proposed in a notice of motion: "This council makes known to the Competition Commission its concerns about Newsquest's monopolistic pricing strategy for public notices."
Cllr Stoddart claimed the Western Telegraph was "using its monopoly pricing power to overcharge" the county council for public notices that it is legally obliged to advertise.
However, a report submitted to cabinet by David Thomas the council's Head of Marketing and Communications, said the notice of motion was based on a "false premise."
"While the Western Telegraph is the only newspaper which serves the whole county, this does not mean that it operates a monopoly," Mr Thomas' report stated.
"Four weekly newspapers are based within Pembrokeshire and two others are based outside the county but circulate within all or part of the county."
Mr Thomas said that while it would be feasible for the council to put public notices in each of the smaller newspapers instead of the Western Telegraph, the cost per single column centimetre to advertise would almost double.
Mr Thomas added that if the Competition Commission had any concerns about a potential monopoly, they would have investigated the matter at the time of the sale of the Milford Mercury to the Western Telegraph's owners.
He concluded the report by recommending that councillor Stoddart's notice of motion was rejected on the basis there was no "apparent monopoly" operating among local newspapers.
At Monday's full cabinet meeting, the council's deputy leader, councillor John Allen-Mirehouse, said the report spoke for itself.
All members then voted in favour of rejecting the notice of motion.
Comments(21)
OldeGrumpee
says...
9:27am Tue 9 Feb 10
OldeGrumpee
says...
9:39am Tue 9 Feb 10
indeview
says...
10:43am Tue 9 Feb 10
You did not read about this in the WT.
PCC is apparently happy for us to be "topped up" on rates for Public Notices in the WT which reaches sales of about 25,000.
How much did the statutory "consultation" notice in the WT on the recent car park charges increases cost us? What notice did PCC take on the results of this "consultation"? Not much value for money here.
OldeGrumpee
says...
10:59am Tue 9 Feb 10
Andrew Lye
says...
10:59am Tue 9 Feb 10
Cllr Stoddart's argument about an alleged Newsquest monopoly does seem rather weak when it was his own family that sold the Milford Mercury to the WT's then owners, Newscom and are now under the Newsquest umbrella.
Local newspapers in the UK are actually under threat and some have already gone to the wall, in the recession due to falling advertising revenue, drop in sales and on-line news, so who knows what local papers will still be here in 10 years time.
I have doubts whether the Mercury will survive which would be a shame as I used to enjoy its investigative journalism. Even that seems to have gone now and its almost a mini WT, now.
kingofmumu
says...
2:08pm Tue 9 Feb 10
I am glad to see Gordon Brown is trying to bring in "proportional representation." Lets get the ball rolling! By the way,Whats happened to the "Haverfordwest Skate Park ?"
billbob
says...
4:24pm Tue 9 Feb 10
Dave Edwards
says...
5:47pm Tue 9 Feb 10
MP676
says...
7:35pm Tue 9 Feb 10
OldeGrumpee
says...
8:51am Wed 10 Feb 10
Local and county councils are, for the most part are comprised of people who are not really in touch with what the masses want and expect from people in government.
I would ask THIS QUESTION.....
WHY WOULD THE COUNCIL BERATE CLLR STODDARDT FOR HIS ATTEMPT TO LOWER THE COST OF PUBLIC NOTICES IN WHAT DEFINITELY IS A MONOPOLY HELD BY THE WESTERN TELEGRAPH, IT BEING THE ONLY NEWSPAPER REACHING A COUNTY-WIDE AUDIENCE.
SURELY the council should welcome any attempt by one of their members to achieve better value for tax-payers' money rather than to block such a notice of motion seeking to address extortionate pricing by the Western Telegraph.
WHY does the Western Telegraph have dual pricing for private ads and council notices? The costs of printing are no different, the same printing press is used. It's simply a way of filling their coffers at the expense of the taxpayers.
As for MP676's comment, conspiracy theories abound when there are shady dealings such as carried out by the morally bankrupt members of the Independent Political Group....elected as an independent, then join a part - how do they sleep at night? I'll tell you why, because they're out of touch with what the average man in the street believes to be right and they would never be elected if there weren't so much apathy amongst people who believe that no matter whether they vote or not, the people in power will live with their snouts in the trough while we all struggle on.
MP676
says...
10:57am Wed 10 Feb 10
kingofmumu
says...
11:42am Wed 10 Feb 10
OldeGrumpee wrote:Well said, lets hope Gordon Browns electoral reforms, come around quickly. Proportional representation sounds good to me. I was wondering why Andrew was surprised that the Mercury seems like a cut down version of the WT. After reading he is an ex council leader, I now fully understand his comment and some of his other remarks. Councilors with the greater electorate votes, should be running our council. Not a small rural handful of votes. If we wish to rid PCC of despotism,(if it exists :) ) a lot more of us will have to run against them next time. It is about time the electorate takes control of its councils, not only locally, but throughout the country. I am surprised our rants are being allowed here. It could very easily be censored. Our thoughts should be available to all the 250,000 readers of the WT by printing all the posted comments, and let the readers decide who is talking nonsense, not many of the WT readers use this online "Soap Box".
Andrew Lye is an ex-Council Leader himself, totally deluded as to the thoughts and opinions of normal people in a community.
Local and county councils are, for the most part are comprised of people who are not really in touch with what the masses want and expect from people in government.
I would ask THIS QUESTION.....
WHY WOULD THE COUNCIL BERATE CLLR STODDARDT FOR HIS ATTEMPT TO LOWER THE COST OF PUBLIC NOTICES IN WHAT DEFINITELY IS A MONOPOLY HELD BY THE WESTERN TELEGRAPH, IT BEING THE ONLY NEWSPAPER REACHING A COUNTY-WIDE AUDIENCE.
SURELY the council should welcome any attempt by one of their members to achieve better value for tax-payers' money rather than to block such a notice of motion seeking to address extortionate pricing by the Western Telegraph.
WHY does the Western Telegraph have dual pricing for private ads and council notices? The costs of printing are no different, the same printing press is used. It's simply a way of filling their coffers at the expense of the taxpayers.
As for MP676's comment, conspiracy theories abound when there are shady dealings such as carried out by the morally bankrupt members of the Independent Political Group....elected as an independent, then join a part - how do they sleep at night? I'll tell you why, because they're out of touch with what the average man in the street believes to be right and they would never be elected if there weren't so much apathy amongst people who believe that no matter whether they vote or not, the people in power will live with their snouts in the trough while we all struggle on.
I nail my colours to the mast by saying I am not anti PCC, I am sure they do a lot of good work. I just want, transparency and full accountabilty and penalties, to apply to the decision makers, if they fail the electorate.
Ultimately making sure our local councils are being controlled by the electorate, and not vice versa, this will then make it easier to expand it, to central government.
Dave Edwards
says...
1:41pm Wed 10 Feb 10
indeview
says...
2:10pm Wed 10 Feb 10
A select Committee, concerned about the future of local media, and the reporting of local council's/democracy is currently taking evidince about the state of local newspapers which are all facing problems What is the future for reporting the deeds of Council's?
Authorities have a duty to communicate with us, and I am sure we all avidly read and benefit from the Council's "newsletter" delivered to our doors (which we pay for) for an unbiased view of what the Council does for us.
Council's are also REQUIRED to publish Statutory Public Notices in local newspapers.
The Select Committee evidence refers to pitsnpots.co.uk a community site reporting on local matters.Is this the way forward?
MP676
says...
2:15pm Wed 10 Feb 10
Dave Edwards wrote:Yes Dave. The Telegraph's news content is dictated by who their reporters' relatives happen to be. Congratulations on what is quite possibly the most ludicrous (and arguably defamatory) thing I've read on these threads so far.
I hear that the Western Telegraph have appointed a relative of a Council cabinet member as their Pembroke Dock reporter. The Rev.Huw (Bethany) George can expect even more pictures in the WT from now on.
billbob
says...
3:37pm Wed 10 Feb 10
philipw
says...
10:44pm Thu 11 Feb 10
We all know in Pembrokeshire its not what you know......
Yes, billbob, I've put my head above the parapet and it did me no good.I think therefore that I am entitled to moan and ****.
I'm waiting for the proverbial to hit the fan with the council budget settlement.This is bound to happen over the next two years and someone in our 'independent' council is going to have to make some very serious decisions about staffing.Perhaps then people will stand up and take notice and change may just start to happen.
indeview
says...
9:02am Fri 12 Feb 10
Not much debate or questioning there.
I came away with the impression that the recession and financial constraints had yet to impact our council, but clouds were looming for 2011/12 and beyond.
This view is strengthened by the Budget policy as outlined in the budget report, which doesn't refer to any positive steps taken to review expenditure levels, any options for reduction, nor does it make any recommendation to trim this years budget in readiness for cuts next year.
I couldn't face going to any more budget scrutiny sessions..
Still there was an interesting presentation on honey bees, for which the WI turned out in force. They left before the Budget item.
indeview
says...
9:05am Fri 12 Feb 10
andoman
says...
10:13pm Thu 4 Mar 10
More News stories
- Nash Fingerpost accident blackspot to be looked at again
- Norovirus outbreak at Withybush hospital
- 'Nurse training the key to prevent future Minor Injury Unit closures'
- Wind turbines impact to be examined by Pembrokeshire planners
- Loner found with child sex abuse pictures released by top judges
- Residents outline Haverfordwest Castle concerns over 'boutique hotel' plans
- Angle RNLI crew clock up the hours as the busiest in Wales
- Family raise funds to fight meningitis after baby son's death
- Police and Park team up to tackle damaging off-road activities
- Police warning after sheep killed by dogs in Boncath area
Most popular
Local Information
Enter your postcode, town or place name
Dave Edwards says...
6:21pm Mon 8 Feb 10