Editors have warned of a ‘threat to democracy’ over plans to remove council tax notices from printed local newspapers.

Publishers working in Wales came together to issue the warning over a proposal in the Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill, which they believe could trigger the removal of other types of public notices from local papers.

Members of the Senedd from across the political spectrum have also expressed concerns about the issue.

An amendment to the bill, tabled by Welsh Conservative Peter Fox MS, and a statement of opinion supporting the provision of council tax notices in local papers, tabled by Welsh Labour Mike Hedges MS, have gained support.

Liz Davies, Tindle Newspapers regional editor in Wales, said: “All the evidence shows that print local newspapers continue to be a critical platform for people to find public notices.

“Removing the legal requirement on councils to advertise these notices in local papers would lead to huge swathes of the population being unable to access vital information which may have a profound impact upon their lives.

“The local news sector across the UK is watching developments in Wales with increasing concern.

“It is not too late for the Welsh government to change course by striking out this dangerous provision from the Bill and we strongly urge them to do so immediately.”

Gavin Thompson, Newsquest regional editor, Wales, added: “Six out 10 of our local newspapers in Wales would have been loss-making last year without public notice revenue and, as a commercial business, we cannot continue to run titles that are loss-making.

“The Welsh government has shown its support for local journalism in the past and must do so again by abandoning this dangerous plan which will wreak havoc on local news provision in Wales.”

And Wales Online acting editor David James said: “We do not believe that the Welsh government intends to deal a hammer blow to local journalism yet that is exactly what will happen if council tax notices are removed from local papers.

“The consequences of this will be straightforward – weaker democratic engagement and weaker provision of local news in Wales.”