Two media groups have joined forces to trial an ‘independent' local public sector reporting scheme, in place of local media. The Press Association (PA) has announced it will work with Trinity Mirror in a pilot scheme to cover local government and other sections of the public sector – and is currently looking for funding for the scheme. In a press statement, PA said: ‘The aim of the pilot is to prove the worth of a publicly-funded, local, editorial resource.' Google has also announced a move into local government. The Internet giant has launched a website in partnership with Directgov, the Society of Information Technology Management (SOCITM) and LG Comms. The site (google.co.uk/localgov) gives advice on how councils can help their citizens find their website more easily, improve their use, and understand where the web traffic comes from. In addition, the website encourages local authorities to help local businesses get online by offering to run masterclasses led by Google experts in their local borough. The Local Government Association's programme director for media, Edward Welsh, told The MJ: ‘We are all in favour of a healthy local media because it helps local democracy.'