Comments on: Place matters: the Location Strategy for the UK http://www.edparsons.com/2008/11/place-matters-the-location-strategy-for-the-uk/ The blog of Ed Parsons, Geographer. Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:11:39 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Andy Key http://www.edparsons.com/2008/11/place-matters-the-location-strategy-for-the-uk/#comment-1614 Andy Key Tue, 09 Dec 2008 10:27:49 +0000 http://www.edparsons.com/?p=630#comment-1614 My worry is that it takes its lead from the INSPIRE directive. Scratch the surface, and both are really concerned with making sure government agencies can exchange (and sell) data for statistical analysis purposes - very important for service planning and performance reporting, but not really freeing up basic location info for the public. In fact it practically dismisses the latter in paragraph 13, as if it's not significant enough to be covered by the strategy. Then in para 48 it goes to great lengths to avoid treading on anyone else's toes about addressing the "derived data" issue: "The simplification should take account of the trading nature of the owners of the Core Reference Geographies and should not duplicate the Government’s separate review of the pricing of public sector information by trading funds." If the Location Council takes this attitude, it certainly won't be an enabling body. My worry is that it takes its lead from the INSPIRE directive. Scratch the surface, and both are really concerned with making sure government agencies can exchange (and sell) data for statistical analysis purposes – very important for service planning and performance reporting, but not really freeing up basic location info for the public. In fact it practically dismisses the latter in paragraph 13, as if it’s not significant enough to be covered by the strategy.

Then in para 48 it goes to great lengths to avoid treading on anyone else’s toes about addressing the “derived data” issue: “The simplification should take account of the trading nature of the owners of the Core Reference Geographies and should not duplicate the Government’s separate review of the pricing of public sector information by trading funds.” If the Location Council takes this attitude, it certainly won’t be an enabling body.

]]> By: Stuart Mitchell http://www.edparsons.com/2008/11/place-matters-the-location-strategy-for-the-uk/#comment-1613 Stuart Mitchell Thu, 27 Nov 2008 07:46:24 +0000 http://www.edparsons.com/?p=630#comment-1613 I think the idea of the 'Location Council' is a good idea (though 'council' always seems to be the wrong word!) - but only if it has any kind of actual power, and the willingness to embrace both the private and public sectors. It needs to be viewed as an enabling body, not a red-tape organisation. And it needs to work in a kind of 'open source' way, rather than closing the door to organisations that are low on money/resources. I think the idea of the ‘Location Council’ is a good idea (though ‘council’ always seems to be the wrong word!) – but only if it has any kind of actual power, and the willingness to embrace both the private and public sectors. It needs to be viewed as an enabling body, not a red-tape organisation. And it needs to work in a kind of ‘open source’ way, rather than closing the door to organisations that are low on money/resources.

]]> By: The Geo Update » Blog Archive » UK Releases “Place Matters” Location Strategy for UK http://www.edparsons.com/2008/11/place-matters-the-location-strategy-for-the-uk/#comment-1612 The Geo Update » Blog Archive » UK Releases “Place Matters” Location Strategy for UK Wed, 26 Nov 2008 13:25:25 +0000 http://www.edparsons.com/?p=630#comment-1612 [...] offers his quick take specifically noted the push for eased licensing. Ed Parsons seems to be suggesting something about a job in Southampton (home the Ordnance Survey)... These goals do not sound like any really new (for any [...] [...] offers his quick take specifically noted the push for eased licensing. Ed Parsons seems to be suggesting something about a job in Southampton (home the Ordnance Survey)… These goals do not sound like any really new (for any [...]

]]> By: Rob Stapleton http://www.edparsons.com/2008/11/place-matters-the-location-strategy-for-the-uk/#comment-1611 Rob Stapleton Wed, 26 Nov 2008 12:37:07 +0000 http://www.edparsons.com/?p=630#comment-1611 At 38 pages, surprisingly light for something that has taken 2.5 years to emerge into the public domain. Not particularly controversial either - why the delay in publishing one wonders? Initial thoughts: 1) Very welcome news that someone recommends sorting out the derived data issue but para 48 pg 22 smacks of Asbestos Towers. 2) Will the "Location Council" be embedded in Defra and therefore embedded in Whitehall politics so that Local Government interests get sidelined? 3) Will the recommendation to produce core reference geographies lead to a re-opening of the NSAI debacle with another OS attempt at a hostile takeover of NLPG? 4) Very welcome recommendations about improving knowledge about GI in the wider governmental community, senior managers, and IT professionals. Finally giving them some locational awareness? 5) Where is the money coming from to fund this once the current borrowing and spending frenzy is over? At 38 pages, surprisingly light for something that has taken 2.5 years to emerge into the public domain. Not particularly controversial either – why the delay in publishing one wonders?
Initial thoughts:
1) Very welcome news that someone recommends sorting out the derived data issue but para 48 pg 22 smacks of Asbestos Towers.
2) Will the “Location Council” be embedded in Defra and therefore embedded in Whitehall politics so that Local Government interests get sidelined?
3) Will the recommendation to produce core reference geographies lead to a re-opening of the NSAI debacle with another OS attempt at a hostile takeover of NLPG?
4) Very welcome recommendations about improving knowledge about GI in the wider governmental community, senior managers, and IT professionals. Finally giving them some locational awareness?
5) Where is the money coming from to fund this once the current borrowing and spending frenzy is over?

]]> By: Tom http://www.edparsons.com/2008/11/place-matters-the-location-strategy-for-the-uk/#comment-1610 Tom Wed, 26 Nov 2008 09:32:51 +0000 http://www.edparsons.com/?p=630#comment-1610 I tried reading this for 10 minutes and still can't tell you the first thing about what it means. Tom I tried reading this for 10 minutes and still can’t tell you the first thing about what it means.

Tom

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