Decision details

To set out the results of the recent Fareham Today review and seek approval for a number of changes to the production and distribution of the magazine.

A proposal to move to an online version of Fareham Today and to only produce printed copies on request was presented as part of the Efficiency Savings report at the 10 October meeting of the Executive. 

The way people read and access news and local information has changed in recent years.  Fareham Today has been published for a long time during which technology and the growth of the internet have advanced rapidly. Whilst circulations of print newspapers and magazines continue to decline, online magazines or newspapers have become immensely popular.

This shift towards reading news and magazines online calls into question whether the primarily print focused approach of Fareham Today is meeting the changing needs of our residents and makes best use of Council resources.

This report outlines the results of the review and outlines proposals to make the magazine more responsive to the changing needs of residents as well as result in considerable annual savings.

RESOLVED that the Executive:

(a)  notes the results of the review of Fareham Today;

(b)  agrees the proposal to move to an online version of the magazine;

(c)  agrees to distribute paper copies to people that request it, as well as to libraries and community centres;

(d)  agrees to produce a new ten page edition of the magazine every two months; and

(e)  agrees to the proposed arrangements for transition to the online magazine format.