Titbits – Paper waits and socialist ‘scumbags’

◆ Cabinet member for energy Cllr Jon Burke is a prolific Tweeter. This week he took exception to a piece in the Socialist Worker criticising what the Trot newspaper dubbed ‘soft Left’ Labour MPs. Cllr Burke tweeted: “Socialist Worker, warning us about the people who actually deliver Labour victories. Hands off our party, scumbags.” Very energetic!

◆ What has happened to council freesheet Hackney Today?, residents might be wondering. Fear not! The supposedly “fortnightly” rag – defended by the council as a way to get information to the public – is taking one of its seasonal breaks, with a whopping 28-day gap between editions (18 Dec to 15 Jan).

◆ Readers may have to get used to the wait. In November the council’s Cabinet Procurement Committee noted plans for two four-year contracts worth £1,382,000 for Hackney Today’s printing and distribution. But the plans haven’t been mentioned since, and don’t feature in the next meeting’s agenda. When asked about the mystery, a council spokesperson said: “We are considering our options.” Informative!