A major upgrade to the Public Notice Portal (PNP) has gone live, giving the public a direct voice in local consultations for the first time. Residents can now submit feedback on individual public notices through a new consultation function, which local authorities will access via a dedicated PNP dashboard. The dashboard also allows councils and businesses to attach supplementary materials—maps, images, or additional data—to public notices, deepening transparency.
Key Features
- ✅ Public feedback submission on active notices
- ⚡ Local authorities can upload supporting documents
- 💡 Fully searchable archive of all past notices
The PNP, an online database of public notices historically published in local newspapers, has expanded its reach to 42 million monthly readers across print and digital platforms. Over the past 18 months, Reach plc led the development, funded by a six-figure grant from the Google News Initiative and backed by local publishers nationwide. The archive, now fully searchable, ensures all past notices remain accessible indefinitely.
Newsquest chief executive Henry Faure Walker called the upgrade a critical step for local democracy. "The new features make it easier for communities to engage with decisions affecting them," he said. "But this progress depends on maintaining the statutory link between public notices and local journalism—without it, transparency suffers."
| Feature | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| Public feedback | None | Direct submission via portal |
| Supporting documents | Print-only | Digital uploads allowed |
| Archive search | Limited | Fully searchable |
Google UK’s Director of News Partnerships Hayley Cochrane praised the innovation. "Local newsrooms are finding new ways to serve their communities," she said. "Tools like this strengthen democratic engagement at a time when trust in institutions is fragile."
💡 Pro Tip
Local councils should integrate PNP dashboards with existing planning portals to centralize public access and reduce duplication.
The News Media Association’s Theo Bamber warned that the upgrades come as transparency in local governance faces growing challenges. "Public notices are the bedrock of accountability," he said. "These changes ensure they remain visible and scrutinizable—exactly when scrutiny is most needed."
📋 By The Numbers
- 42 million — Average monthly readers of local news titles
- 18 months — Duration of PNP development phase
- 6 figures — Google News Initiative grant amount (undisclosed)
To promote the new tools, a national advertising campaign funded by local publishers begins today in regional newspapers and digital editions. The push targets both residents and local authorities, urging them to adopt the enhanced platform for all upcoming consultations.
- Public feedback window — Residents have 30 days to comment on each notice
- Document upload deadline — Authorities must submit supplementary materials 14 days before consultation closes
- Archive compliance — All past notices must be archived within 7 days of publication
The upgrades arrive as the government’s Local Media Action Plan explicitly endorses the PNP as a key platform for community access to public notices. Industry leaders stress that sustained funding and statutory backing are essential to prevent the portal from becoming obsolete in an era of shrinking local news budgets.