Support for local papers

Today I asked the Chief Executive of Dundee City Council whether the council planned to respond to the current consultation regarding public notices being published only online.

We have to recognise in the twenty-first century that increasing numbers of people do use the internet to access information but not everyone does. I think that there is a very strong case for the publication of public notices in newspapers. Lots of people do not use the internet on a regular basis and some do not have the skills to use it, public notices in newspapers ensures that more people get a chance to read the notice. Local newspapers are also available to consult, free of charge, in our excellent libraries.


It is hugely important that councils are transparent in their dealings with the people they serve. Councils must be doing everything they can to ensure that the public, whom we are meant to serve, have the best information about the work of the council.

I was interested in the result of the debate in the Scottish Parliament today, when MSPs voted against this proposal. I think that it is also important that Dundee City Council makes its views known on this issue and I do hope that we will be given that opportunity.

The consultation can be found here, you can also click on the photograph at the top of this posting to find out how the Courier reported on this issue.