Public Notice Portal enhances services
New features aim to deepen public engagement and simplify consultation processes for local authorities.
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From the archive. This story was written up on 29 July 2026 from reporting first published on 28 May 2026, which is the date shown above. We took up the back catalogue of the local titles we read when this site launched, so the events are older than the page.
The Public Notice Portal (PNP), an online database for public notices from local newspapers, has launched new consultation and archive services. This development, undertaken over the past 18 months, was funded by a six-figure grant from the Google News Initiative, with additional support from local publishers. The aim of these new features is to enhance public engagement with notices and streamline the consultation process for local authorities and other organisations.
Enhanced Consultation and Archiving
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The newly introduced consultation function on the PNP allows members of the public to provide feedback on individual public notices. Local authorities can access these submissions through a dedicated dashboard, which also enables them to add supplementary information such as maps and images to consultations. Alongside this, a fully searchable archive of all public notices has been created, making past information readily accessible. The PNP is an online database that consolidates public notices originally appearing in printed local newspapers.
Increased User Engagement and Support
The number of registered users on the PNP has seen significant growth, nearly doubling in the past year to reach 43,000. These users sign up for alerts on specific notice types, geographic areas, or to search the site directly. Newsquest chief executive Henry Faure Walker stated that the new services will deepen public engagement and simplify consultations. Hayley Cochrane, Director of News Partnerships for Google UK and Northern Europe, expressed pleasure in supporting the development, highlighting the PNP as an example of innovation within the local news sector that strengthens democratic engagement.
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Maintaining Transparency
Theo Bamber, chief executive of the News Media Association, emphasised the role of local news media in safeguarding the public's right to know and ensuring transparency in local decision-making. He noted that the enhanced features of the PNP make local government operations more accessible, thereby upholding critical aspects of the UK's social and democratic framework. A promotional advertising campaign, funded by local publishers, is launching across UK local news titles to publicise the new PNP services.
Questions this report answers
+What new features has the Public Notice Portal added?
The Public Notice Portal has introduced a consultation function allowing public feedback on notices and a fully searchable archive of all past notices. These features let users respond directly to consultations and access historical data easily, improving transparency and engagement.
+How much funding did the Public Notice Portal receive?
The development of the Public Notice Portal was supported by a six-figure grant from the Google News Initiative. This funding helped build the new consultation and archive services over the past 18 months, alongside contributions from local publishers.
+How many people are using the Public Notice Portal now?
The number of registered users on the Public Notice Portal has grown to 43,000, nearly doubling in the last year. These users receive alerts for specific notices or areas, demonstrating increased public interest in local consultations and transparency.
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