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Quite a lot of talk about local democracy on this week.

I've already covered the regional assembly anniversary in previous posts.

But we also took a look at .

Our councils say they're a good way of communicating important information to local people.

But others believe they're a waste of money - and are damaging the local newspapers that are far more vital to our democracy.

We've come up with a bill for council taxpayers in the North East and Cumbria of £2 million for their publication and distribution.

I must admit mine doesn't linger long before it hits the recycling bin, so I haven't had much chance to check how much information is in there.

It's certainly right that councils try and communicate as best they can with the people who vote for them, but the fact many are taking advertising at a time when our local newspapers are struggling has to be a concern.

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And there are genuine fears that as our local papers are damaged, so their ability to hold councils to account is also compromised.

I started my career reporting on council affairs for the Cumbrian local papers - the Cumberland News and News & Star, assiduously combing through agenda after agenda.

That to me was crucial in analysing what our local politicians were up to - both bad and good.

I sense that doesn't happen as much these days as local newspapers struggle for resources.

It would be even worse then if any of them closed because of the competition for their advertising from local authority newspapers.

A world where only councils reported on their own activities is a pretty frightening one.

The Moss Week:

READING: . This is the latest choice for the book group I belong to. I look forward to our gentle chat about the erotic properties of car crashes!!?

WATCHING: . I'm hooked I must confess. Why are all the crows dying?

CHEERING ON: . They're desperately bad I know. Their rendition of We Will Rock You was like a performance by fifth formers at a school assembly, but just imagine how annoyed Simon Cowell will be if he has to hand a £1 million contract to them! . You know it makes sense.

By the way, the ´óÏó´«Ã½ changes its comments system on Monday. Don't worry, it's all painless and it's designed to make commenting easier.

I've had to go through it too. You just need to try and post a comment as usual and it'll move you onto the new system.

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