Eric Pickles' war against town hall 'pravdas'has been branded unfounded by council chiefs who claim the Government's move to enshrine the communications code of conduct in legislation contradicts efforts to reduce red tape.

In response to the DCLG's 'Protecting the independent press from unfair competition' consultation, the Local Government Association (LGA) said there was no evidence council publications competed with local newspapers and therefore no reason for the existing code to be put into primary legislation.