AGI - INSPIRE Working Group

INSPIRE Action Working Group

The INSPIRE Directive aims to set up a European Spatial Data Infrastructure to enable users to identify and access spatial or geographical information from a wide range of (mainly) public sector sources. INSPIRE came into force in May 2007 with a two year period to transpose the Directive Into each Member State’s own legislation. In UK (including Gibraltar) this was completed in December 2009. The AGI is registered with the European Commission as a Spatial Data Interest Community (SDIC) and is committed to proactively supporting UK participation in all relevant INSPIRE processes.

The AWG was established in June 2007 with Robin Waters, independent consultant and European GI columnist, appointed as Chairman. It represents a broad and balanced range of organisations including those from local government, central government and commerce.

The INSPIRE AWG's terms of reference (see link below) were agreed and the objectives of the group are articulated as follows:

To be the main contact point within AGI for INSPIRE from the European Commission and UK central and local governments.
To maintain a watching brief on behalf of AGI on all INSPIRE related initiatives and distribute relevant information about these via email, web presence and occasional publications with the emphasis on users of INSPIRE datasets rather than the government providers of those datasets.
To ensure that AGI responses to INSPIRE documents are compiled, agreed and delivered on time in conjunction with other AGI resources such as the standards committee.
To encourage UK (particularly AGI members) participation in the INSPIRE implementation processes including sponsorship of AGI events and contributions to third party events.
To ensure and foster relationships with other UK stakeholders in INSPIRE, especially central and local government.

'We believe that the INSPIRE Working Group will continue to bring together input from individuals and organizations already represented in the INSPIRE process and from others that have not yet become involved,' stated Chris Holcroft, Director, AGI. 'INSPIRE is very significant whatever perspective you may have of its implications. It is important that the AGI has a constructive and effective voice with the UK Location Programme as INSPIRE implementation proceeds’ he added.

Anyone interested in learning more about this group should contact Chris Holcroft, Email: chris.holcroft@agi.org.uk

Link to UK Location Programme (responsible for the implementation of INSPIRE in UK)

INSPIRE Working Group Terms of Reference