Midlothian backs public notice move criticised by MSPs
MIDLOTHIAN Council has backed the Scottish Government's plans to allow public notices to be published online instead of in newspapers, at the same time as MSPs voted to reject the move.
A motion, raised by Labour MSP Pauline McNeill, was passed in Holyrood on Thursday calling for the plans to be scrapped, just two days after the Labour-led Midlothian Council backed the proposals.
Such a move could save the council 7,000 a year but critics fear it would bar many Scots from the democratic process and mean a major loss of revenue for local newspapers.
The Advertiser reported last month that Midlothian MSP Rhona Brankin (Lab) has opposed the plans, saying "they are bad for every reader who values and enjoys their local weekly paper".
Penicuik MSP Jeremy Purvis (Lib Dem) said the proposals would impact on people in rural areas, older people and other vulnerable groups, and the plans are also opposed by Midlothian and East Lothian Chamber of Commerce.
Members of the Scottish Parliament, including both Ms Brankin and Mr Purvis, voted 76 to 48 for a motion calling on the Scottish Government to scrap the proposals.
The plans have been criticised for limiting access to important information to those without internet access.
But a report to Midlothian Council by Cleland Sneddon, head of performance and HR, said that was a risk that could be offset by publishing more contentious items in the council-produced Midlothian News and by the free web access in libraries, with newspaper publication considered in "exceptional circumstances".
Mr Sneddon's report highlighted a financial risk on the impact of a loss of income for local commercial press.
The report states: "In 2009, approximately 14,000 was spent by Midlothian Council in advertising statutory notices in the commercial press. Although a small charge would be expected for the administration of the PIN portal (the national recruitment portal is approximately 7,000 per annum), annual savings of approximately 7,000 plus could be expected if the proposed legislation was enacted.
"The proposal follows on from the success of the national recruitment portal linked to council websites which has seen significant savings in press advertising costs being realised by a large number of authorities.
"Other appropriate vehicles for the council would be to publish statutory notices on the council website although some notices may be appropriate for publication in the council's Midlothian News."
The report was approved at last week's full council meeting and a submission has been made to the Scottish Government's consultation on the proposals, which runs until February 12.
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