Public notices being trialled on new app

A NEW app which enables people to see public notices has been trialled.

The notices, which contain details of issues such as roadworks or applications for planning permission or alcohol licenses, are normally displayed in public places and advertising in the local press.

Birmingham City Council has been posting some of these notices on the new smartphone app this month as a way of enabling them to be seen by even more people.

Called Birmingham Notiz, it has been developed in partnership with Post owner Trinity Mirror Group and gives users the opportunity to examine a limited range of planning applications and details of proposed roadworks.

As well as offering them in a traditional list format, users who input their postcode can also view all notices relevant to their neighbourhood and nearby areas on an interactive map.

During the trial, which runs until September, public notices will continue to appear in the local media as usual.

Findings from the trial will be used by central government to determine how public notices are best communicated in the future.

Coun Ian Ward, deputy leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “This pilot will enable us to assess the operational and financial benefits that may be obtained from such an app and I would urge everyone to have a look and let us know what they think.”

Anyone who uses the app will be invited to take part in a survey at the end of the pilot to enable the council and Trinity Mirror to evaluate how well the project has worked.

If the use of the app is then eventually extended in Birmingham, the council would consider the incorporation of all planning applications, licensing notices and any other public notices it can be required to issue on an ad-hoc basis.