North Somerset Life magazine, which contained North Somerset Council and partners’ news and updates, was first launched in 2004 and was initially distributed through residents’ doors monthly.

Over the last decade, however, the council has steadily reduced the frequency of the magazine down to two editions last year. It said this was in a bid to reduce costs and because more people were accessing information online.

The council told Printweek the 48pp publication had a print run of around 105,000 and was sent to households across the area.

The most recent issue, dated Autumn/Winter 2024, went to press in late October and was delivered in mid-November. The prior Spring/Summer issue had been delivered in mid-May. It was printed by Go Inspire on 54gsm gloss stock.

The title informed readers about consultation activities, changes to waste and recycling, activities and local events, road issues, and the council’s services and plans.

The proposal to stop printing the magazine completely was part of the budget saving measures approved at the Full Council meeting on 18 February.

The regular Life e-newsletter, which residents receive via email, will remain and continues as one of the council’s main channels of communication.

The monthly e-newsletter is sent to around 106,000 email addresses and is a round-up of the latest council news, consultations, service information, local events, and more.

Councillor Mike Bell, leader of North Somerset Council, said: “We know the printed Life magazine will be missed by many.

“However, because more and more people now access news and information online, and the cost of producing and delivering a magazine to every household is not insignificant, we’ve taken the decision to no longer produce the printed magazine.”

He added copies of the e-newsletter are accessible through the council’s libraries and support is available to help people get online, while free internet access is available in all North Somerset libraries for people to access Life online.

Additionally, a poster is displayed in all libraries to highlight the top stories each month.

“Library staff are happy to help people get onto the Life website to read any stories that interest them and print them out,” the council said.

“The council also encourages readers to share the e-newsletter stories with any friends or family who may be interested but aren’t online.”