London: 23 December 2009

The UK Department for the Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has announced proposals for the provision of free data from the Ordnance Survey. The consultation closes on the 17th March 2010.

The consultation document titled: Policy options for geographic information from Ordnance Survey Consultation. ISBN: 978 1 4098 2100 7. Date: December 2009. Pages: 91.

The DCLG announcement states:

“Communities Minister Ian Austin has today outlined proposals on how the public will have more access to Ordnance Survey mapping data from next year, as part of a Government drive to open up data to improve transparency.”

“The possible range of products under consideration for release as part of the 'Ordnance Survey Free' includes:

• 'Raster' products in a range of scales from 1:10,000 to 1:1 000 000 that will enable developers to produce an application that overlays their information on a map and to zoom-in from a national view down to the street level;
• Definitive gazetteer, boundary and postcode information that will enable widespread use of these commonly used geographies and act as a link between other government data sets which reference the same geography;
• Small-scale vector mapping products which would enable developers to link between boundary, postcode and mapping data.”

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The consultation document Forward written by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government John Denham states:

“Foreword

Putting the Frontline First: Smarter Government is the Prime Minister’s vision for how government will meet the rising expectations of citizens for better public services. It recognises that recent economic events have created new challenges that will require innovation and a different approach from the past.

By empowering people and communities, freeing up the front line and streamlining the operation of central government, we will become more flexible to the changing needs of individuals and circumstances. We will enable Great Britain to emerge stronger from the economic downturn.

An open data policy for the UK is a key part of this transformation. It is nothing less than a radical change in the relationship between the citizen and State.

Data from government enables people to understand the decisions taken on their behalf, to challenge them and press for change. Information about local services gives people the tools to compare outcomes across different areas and ask why things can’t be done differently where they live. In opening up public data from across government – central and local – we wish to see exciting and innovative applications be developed that people regard as valuable to their everyday lives.

This Department has long recognised the importance of location as a key tool for understanding other information. Last year we published Place Matters: The Location Strategy for the United Kingdom, which highlighted how we could improve decision making and drive efficiency in government under the principle of ’collect once and use many times.’ Right now, we are rolling out thirteen Total Place pilots to test the idea that a ’whole area‘ approach can lead to better services at lower cost.

It is my desire that Ordnance Survey information is right at the heart of this revolution of underpinning the nation with greater access to data to improve decision-making and create innovation. As an organisation, Ordnance Survey has a long and proud history. It is recognised as a world leader in the collection, maintenance and distribution of the highest quality geographic information and mapping.

But government has not always been clear about what it requires of Ordnance Survey – as either an owner or a customer. These proposals open up Ordnance Survey data, build on its strong tradition and take it into the next phase of its evolution. Government must equally play its part and engage effectively and clearly in its various distinct roles.

The Government is setting out here what it sees as the strategic options for Ordnance Survey to support Making Public Data Public and enable a thriving private sector market as well as sustainable provision in the public sector. We are minded to make available for free and without restriction on re-use certain Ordnance Survey datasets and we invite comments on any aspect of this report. We recognise that Ordnance Survey operates in a commercial marketplace and so any change must be implemented carefully to manage the impact on Ordnance Survey customers and partners. We wish to hear your feedback on how we do that.

As Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government I am delighted to launch this public consultation and look forward to hearing your views.

John Denham”

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Policy options for geographic information from Ordnance Survey

Page 75 of the consultation document - Annex A summarises the 12 questions posed:

“Annex A

List of consultation questions

Question 1: What are your views or comments on the policy drivers for this consultation?

Question 2: What are your views on how the market for geographic information has evolved recently and is likely to develop over the next 5-10 years?

Question 3: What are your views on the appropriate pricing model for Ordnance Survey products and services?

Question 4: What are your views and comments on public sector information regulation and policy, and the concepts of public task and good governance as they apply to Ordnance Survey?

Question 5: What are your views and comments on the products under consideration for release for free re-use and the rationale for their inclusion?

Question 6: How much do you think government should commit to funding the free product set? How might this be achieved?

Question 7: What are your views on how free data from Ordnance Survey should be delivered?

Question 8: What are your views on the impact Ordnance Survey Free will have on the market?

Question 9: What are your comments on the proposal for a single National Address Register and suggestions for mechanisms to deliver it?

Question 10: What are your views on the options outlined in this consultation?

Question 11: For local authorities: What will be the balance of impact of these proposals on your costs and revenues?

Question 12: Will these proposals have any impact on race, gender or disability equalities?”

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The Ordnance Survey press release dated 23 December 2009 states:

“Consultation on access to Ordnance Survey data

Today (23 December), the Department for Communities and Local Government has published a public consultation in relation to Ordnance Survey and proposals to allow greater access to a range of Ordnance Survey data from next year.

Ordnance Survey welcomes the consultation and we would actively encourage our partners, customers, stakeholders and future users of our data to give views on the proposals.”

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