Smarter Government: Mapping and Ordnance Survey in the headlines

Prime Minister, Gordon Brown today released a 70 page document, Putting the Frontline First: smarter government, which outlines 3bn of government savings over the next three years. Amongst a range of proposals, geographic information in the form of 'mapping' is mentioned in a several instances and Ordnance Survey specifically.

For example, in order to drive 'transparency, effective government and innovation' the report mentions 'radically opening up data and public information ... including Ordnance Survey Mapping ... and making them free for re-use'.

The document also includes a forward plan which states that government will: 'Consult on and release valuable public sector datasets - including mapping and postcode, Public Weather Service, detailed government expenditure, various transport and health datasets' and to 'Enable a single point of access for government held data through data.gov.uk'.

Whilst it is both welcome and significant that 'mapping' makes it into a major Prime Minister's speech, this announcement builds on the earlier announcement about Ordnance Survey by the Prime Minister on the 17th November.

The AGI has already stated that the consequences of these announcements will be better understood once more details become available.� Further to its earlier statement, AGI especially looks forward to clarity on:

• the free mapping datasets covered;
• the interpretation of 'freely available' data;
• an understanding of the impact on other government departments affected as a result;
• an understanding of the impact on the Ordnance Survey Partner Network,

before the situation can be clearly assessed.

AGI is also keen to better understand:

• where the funding shortfall to Ordnance Survey and other government organisations affected will be made up from;
• how such funding is to be ensured in the longer term to ensure good data quality and appropriate update cycles;
• the impact on the ongoing work on the OS Business model so recently endorsed by Ministers;
• the lack of any mention of the major issue of derived data beyond use of a generic term 'free for re-use';
• how this relates to the devolved administrations in Wales and Scotland, where Ordnance Survey also operates;
• the effects of a pending General Election.

AGI will monitor all these developments and intends to place a full and active part in the pending consultation on Ordnance Survey. This will run between mid December 2009 and early March 2010.

The Smarter Government press release is here:
http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/newsroom/news_releases/2009 12:00:00 PM/091207-frontlinefirst.aspx

The full report is here:
http://www.hmg.gov.uk/media/52788/smarter-government-final.pdf

Operational Efficiency Programme - Asset Portfolio
In a related development, AGI is aware of a publication from the Operational Efficiency Programme http://www.hmg.gov.uk/media/52715/oep-assetportfolio.pdf. This report includes a number of GI related bodies including British Waterways, Land Registry, Ordnance Survey and the Met Office within its 'Asset Portfolio'. The document features, in some instances, a range of 'alternative asset options' for organisations concerned, not least Ordnance Survey and the Land Registry.

AGI believes that whilst the transparency of these ideas indicates government's flexibility of thinking when considering these assets, it may also generate significant questions about the consistency of government policy in managing its assets and the degree of operational uncertainty it may generate for those concerned.

Again AGI will be paying close attention to developments in this area and contributing its views where and when appropriate."