CLG's 'Smarter Government' consultation into Ordnance Survey is published

Communities & Local Government (CLG) published its awaited consultation document entitled:Policy options for geographic information from Ordnance Survey: Consultation on Wednesday 23 December 2009.

What is it?

Summarised as a 'Consultation paper on the Government's proposal to open up Ordnance Survey's data relating to electoral and local authority boundaries, postcode areas and mid scale mapping information', it forms a 91 page report outlining the Smarter Government policy drivers, the Government's position on a number of areas relating to Ordnance Survey, and what Government is mindful to do. Notably there are 3 business models summarised for consideration along with their respective pros and cons. The consultation has potentially profound implications for Ordnance Survey data supply and use.

How many questions does it include?

There are 12 consultation questions which can be answered.

What is the timetable?

The consultation lasts from 23 December 2009 to 17 March 2010.

What is AGI doing?

AGI will be producing an official response. Members and AGI groups are very welcome to contribute their views for consideration. Before commenting, AGI recommends careful study of the consultation in the first instance.

During the consultation period, AGI will offer two routes for members and groups to provide input. These are as follows:

1) Email your response to AGI Director, Chris Holcroft, who will be coordinating the AGI central response. Closing date Thursday 11th Feb, 2010.

2) Input your response into a Web form on the AGI website. This will list each question and provide a field for each answer. This Web form will be activated in the New Year and will be accessible from the AGI Website home page. Closing date Thursday 11th Feb, 2010.

AGI also encourages members to contribute their own independent personal or corporate responses to this very important Government consultation.

Where can I get the document from?

The official consultation document is available here: http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/corporate/ordnancesurveyconsultation