sponsored by Argent Media
Recognising the local authority that produces the most visually appealing publication. Criteria include creative and journalistic use of photography, colour, typesetting, print quality, print accessibility etc.

2011 Winner: Ealing Council - Around Ealing
Around Ealing is a completely refreshed publication, with a switch to a more compact, ‘handbag-sized’ format (245mm x 190mm) and a change to 100% recycled paper, meeting the council’s drive for sustainability. The new format has helped a switch to more two-page feature spreads, improving the look and flow of the editorial. It has also allowed a larger pagination (48pp minimum) by balancing the weight ratio for distribution costs and has also meant a lower page rate for advertisers, which has encouraged sales. By clever use of column grids and a minor reduction in point size, the word count was hardly compromised.

Commended: Westminster City Council - Children First
The council’s magazine for parents and carers, Children First, had to deliver savings. The communications team took this opportunity to reinvigorate its content, design and format. Headers are set in a big, rounded typeface, giving a soft, inviting and playful feel. Body copy for the articles is set in a compact font to ensure as much information in 16 pages as possible without compromising legibility. Photos of real children and families from Westminster are used, and the magazine adopted a smaller format, reducing costs by 50%.

Commended: Lambeth Council - A-Z of Services
Lambeth Council had not produced an A-Z of services since 2006, so a new A-Z publication was produced that considered residents’ feedback and existing best practice. The 88 page A5 format ensures it accommodates enough information and remains user-friendly. Rather than list all council services alphabetically as one directory, the guide was divided into 11 themed, colour-coded sections to aid navigation and make the publication stand out as something a resident would want to pick up. Striking photography to illustrate each of the sections features Lambeth residents.

Commended: East Riding of Yorkshire Council - Your East Riding
Your East Riding features localised pages that give ward members a voice and visibility only usually attached to cabinet portfolio holders. Throughout the magazine, key facts and figures, timelines and pull-out quotes are included to add another dimension to articles. Residents feature heavily and there is a good mix of stories from across the council, including partner organisations. The council’s in-house design team is responsible for the layout of the magazine. Freelance press photographers are commissioned to ensure high quality images are used.

Commended: Wokingham Borough Council - Wokingham Borough News
Wokingham Borough Council’s magazine has been radically overhauled for 2011. The new look makes good use of photos alongside shorter articles and snappier headlines. Emphasis is placed on making the magazine attractive, with colourful articles and prominent photos. In the latest poll the majority of respondents (75% and above) ranked all aspects of design (use of photos and colour, page layout, length or articles and text size) as good or excellent. Most respondents found it readable (93.8%).