What's new in Contensis for Councils v2.4.0

Explore the latest Contensis for Councils release with new AI search modes, Welsh-first support, improved navigation and performance enhancements.

• Cymru calling: New Contensis for Councils (C4C) projects can now be configured with Welsh cy as the primary language, with English en-GB as the secondary. We've also improved localisation, so dates, routing, search and translated content behave as expected in Welsh-first environments.
• Contents under control: Page: Content entries can now support in-page contents navigation, including next and previous page buttons. A new Section Navigation option allows editors to build structured content collections from a parent page and its descendants, similar to the navigation patterns seen on GOV.UK.
• Search party: Contensis for Councils now supports Insytful AI Search, giving councils a new way to help visitors find answers quickly without having to search through pages of results. Powered by your published website content, AI Search provides direct, conversational answers while keeping visitors within your council website experience. Four search modes are now available; three new search modes alongside the existing standard search. The search options can be configured from the Config: Site Config entry:
  • Standard search only
  • Hybrid – standard search with floating AI assistant
  • Standard/AI Toggle – switch between both from one search box
  • AI search only

• Setting the scene: Form tab properties now render as introductory content within Contensis Forms when populated.
• Looking sharp: Contensis Form radio buttons and checkboxes have had a visual refresh for a cleaner, more consistent design.
• Call to Action: The CTA Row component is now available on Page: Landing entries.
• Roll camera: YouTube video embeds now support privacy-friendly "youtube-nocookie.com" URLs.
• Mind the gap: Improved spacing within Accordion items when tables are used.
• Call me maybe: Data: Contact Card entries now accept and validate emergency services and charity telephone numbers such as 101, 111, 999 and 116123.
• Engine upgrade: We've upgraded the core framework that powers C4C to the latest version of Contensis React Base (CRB), bringing the latest performance improvements, security updates and a solid foundation for future enhancements.
• Quick off the mark: Reduced initial data loading helps pages load faster, improving first impressions for your visitors.

• Space invaders: Removed an unwanted space that could appear between links and following punctuation.

The following content model changes are also included as part of this release.

• New:
  • AI Search: - this new component in the Config: Site Config content type allows you to configure Insytful AI Search. You can add your Insytful AI Search ID and API URL, and then specify which search mode you want to enable.
  • Section Navigation - this component introduces GOV.UK-inspired in-page section navigation for Page: Content entries. Editors can define a section root, display the section's page navigation, and optionally enable Previous and Next links to guide users through related content.
• Updated:
  • Video Embed - Canvas components can now reference either Asset: Video Embed (YouTube) or Asset: Video Embed (Vimeo) entries.

• New:
  • Asset: Video Embed (Vimeo)
• Updated:
  • Asset: Video Embed (YouTube) - renamed from ‘Asset: Video Embed’ and updated to support ‘youtube-nocookie.com’ URLs.
  • Config: Site Config - added AI Search component.
  • Page: Landing - added Call To Action Row component.
  • Page: Content - added a new Navigation tab to configure Section Navigation.

Ready to try it? If you're currently using Contensis for Councils, you can preview and activate version v2.4.0 directly from your CMS:

1. Go to Blocks in the left sidebar.
2. Select contensis-for-councils from the list.
3. Find the Block labelled v2.4.0 and press Preview to test the new version.
4. When you're happy, use the 3-dot menu and Make live.

Contensis for Councils is an out-of-the-box website solution for modern local government organisations. While it was originally designed for use by councils, due to its ease of use it has also been adopted by other public sector organisations, including NHS trusts, both for public-facing websites as well as microsites and intranets.

Built in React, it's available free of charge to any organisation with a Contensis license and is maintained by our dedicated team of developers with help and input from the Contensis for Councils community.

To learn more visit the Contensis for Councils landing page, check out the demo site, or get in touch for a personalised demonstration.