A LIB Dem councillor is claiming that the glossy council magazine 'St Helens First', which has been dropping through townsfolk's letterboxes is biased and "a waste of tax payers' money".

Town centre ward councillor John Beirne claims that each issue costs St Helens tax payers approximately £21,000.

He said: "Let's be honest, it's being used by Labour councillors, who appear in it page after page. It is supposed to be non-political.

"If councillors want their electorate to know what they are doing, then deliver a free regular newsletter to them like I do. Why should taxpayers pay thousands of pounds out of their money for 'St Helens First'."

A council press officer said: "St Helens First has been highlighted by government inspectors as being a very effective means of communicating with the public.

"In fact in a recent survey, more than 87 per cent of readers felt it was an important means of receiving information about council services, while 70 per cent liked the writing, style and content. Many said they would like to see more regular and bigger editions.

"To ensure magazine costs are kept as low as possible, the council goes through a tendering process so that prices are kept to a minimum while maintaining a quality product.

"In a recent study among council publications across the country, St Helens First was among the most cost effective products of its type.

"The effect of the legislation governing the content of council magazines and newspapers is that publicity is restricted in the main to those councillors holding senior positions.

"This means that members of the Council's Executive are normally the appropriate people to speak about council policies and issues relevant to their position and responsibilities within the council.

"Having said that, recent editions have included articles on the council's Scrutiny process, with detailed coverage of the chairs of the Scrutiny Panels, drawn from the main opposition group and also on the mayor.

"Initiatives featuring the council's partners, including the Local Strategic Partnership, the police, health service bodies and the Community Voluntary Service also feature regularly."