Independent helps fill funding gap to keep community news free

I had a very positive meeting with Independent Cllr. Neil Johnson, who has kindly agreed to plug some of the funding gap left by Culcheth & Glazebury Parish Council.

Neil has kindly agreed to use his own money to help keep local residents updated with important updates on community matters and ensure local community news stays free for all.
This will be an independent voice from the council who have decided to end their long-standing association with Culcheth magazine, advertising their meetings and community news, following a “review” of advertising.
This followed on from a long-standing decision not to comment any any issues being raised about the parish council, including hiring security guards at meetings and refusing members of the public entry to public meetings.
I look forward with interest to see how they communicate with the public moving forward.
Our February edition will see their last paid-for page, which has been running for more than 20 years, so maybe an explanation and update will be provided in that?
Meanwhile, we will continue to report local news in as balanced a way as possible, highlighting the work of others in the community as and when they communicate with us.
Neil and I have had a very open and honest conversation about how this will work moving forward and our February issue will include his Independent contribution.
Whatever your politics it is refreshing to see a local Cllr. valuing the local media and the service they provide and using some council allowances to invest back into the community – especially when he is one of the councillors who will not be accepting any increases on his existing allowances during these very testing times on the public purse!