6 August 2010
Councils and other public bodies are being given free access to national mapping data to help them improve services.
Local government minister GrantShapps today said the PublicSector Mapping Agreement would allow all parts of the public sector in England and Wales to use mapping data free of charge to improve their websites and develop smart phone apps.
Shapps said: ‘Easy access to high-quality mapping data will trigger an eruption of new public sector mobile apps and digital mash ups that can quickly and cheaply improve local services, from refuse collections to protecting local birds and animals.’
Examples of local authorities using mapping data to improve services include South TynesideCouncil, which has created the ‘MySouth Tyneside’ web facility. This enables users to find local schools, libraries and other facilities easily and quickly and also sends out e-mail alerts on planning applications and road works.
Under the agreement, the Department for Communities and Local Government has entered into a commercial agreement with Ordnance Survey on behalf of the entire public sector, including councils, the NHS and other Whitehall departments. The deal will be implemented on April 2011.
