eZine: June 2010

In this edition:
General (contains 15 articles)
- 1 Coalition Cuts in IT
- 2 DCLG Minister States No Change to OS Ownership
- 3 NLPG NSG Exemplar Awards 2010
- 4 Everything Happens Somewhere Conference (EHS)
- 5 Exhibiting at the Everything Happens Somewhere Event
- 6 NLPG Now Available on a Record by Record Basis
- 7 Launch of LGA Research into Financial Value of GI
- 8 More for less in West Sussex
- 9 New NLPG Users and Licence Renewals
- 10 Department of Energy and Climate Change License NLPG
- 11 Welsh Assembly Government Adopts the NLPG
- 12 VOA Matching
- 13 Why Oh Why ?
- 14 Lost in Translation!
- 15 Twitter

NLPG (contains 1 article)

- 1 Regional Custodians Meeting

NSG (contains 3 articles)

- 1 NSG in the News
- 2 Regional Custodians Meeting
- 3 NSG Events
1. General

1.1. Coalition Cuts in IT

The proposed 'Institute for Web Science', has been shelved by the new coalition. The
plans were for it to have been led by Sir Tim Berners-Lee, the creator of the internet,
and Professor Nigel Shadbolt. The institute planned to use £30 million set aside by the
former Labour government to assist in further opening up government data to develop
commercial opportunities for businesses and the public sector.

In a public statement, Berners-Lee and Shadbolt said: "We are obviously disappointed at
the announcement. However, we do understand that immediate decisions had to be made
about what not to start, pending a wider review of priorities in the Spending Review.
It is clear that open government data is a high priority. Our understanding is that
the data.gov.uk portal [see [1]E-Government Bulletin issue 304] will in fact grow
significantly in the months to come."
[1] http://bit.ly/bfKWL7

1.2. DCLG Minister States No Change to OS Ownership

Reported on TheyWorkForYou.com was a question by Labour's Hartlepool MP Iain Wright. He
asked the Secretary of State for Communities & Local Government (CLG) "what plans he
has for the future ownership of the Ordnance Survey; and if he will make a statement?"

Bob Neill, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, CLG, replied (8 June 2010):
"Ordnance Survey is Great Britain's national mapping agency and its data underpin the
delivery of many vital public services. I am not currently considering changes to the
ownership".

1.3. NLPG NSG Exemplar Awards 2010

This year's Exemplar Awards are now open!

The Awards are judged by key industry experts from across the geographical information,
local government and information management spectrum. They are run by Local Government
Information House, part of the IDeA and Intelligent Addressing. The Awards form a
pivotal part of the annual 'Everything Happens Somewhere' Conference.

In contrast to previous years, the 2010 Exemplar Awards programme includes:

a smaller number of more tightly focused categories
the opportunity to gain recognition both for best practice projects but also for high
data quality
a new opportunity to win the overall '2010 Exemplar Award'.

The Award Categories are:

Citizen AwardBest example of a project which delivers services to citizens underpinned
by the NLPG/LLPG or the NSG/LSG

Financial AwardBest Example of saving money using the NLPG/LLPG or the NSG/LSG

Green AwardBest example of where a service using the NLPG/LLPG or the NSG/LSG has
either reduced environmental impact or increased greener outcomes

Integration AwardBest example of where the NLPG/LLPG or the NSG/LSG is linked to other
council services or to local partnerships

Naming AwardMost innovative example of street naming which is relevant to local history
and geographical context

Technology AwardBest example of innovative application of technology using the

NLPG/LLPG or the NSG/LSG

Award to 2010 Exemplar This will be based on audience votes at the 'Everything Happens
Somewhere' Conference from presentations from the winners of the above six categories

Improvement Schedule Gold AwardTo be judged on statistical analysis by the National

Custodians

Best in RegionTo be judged on statistical analysis by the National Custodians

 Most ImprovedTo be judged on statistical analysis by the National Custodians

To enter the 2010 Exemplar Awards, please see instructions on the [1]NLPG or NSG [2]NSG
websites.

If you have any questions, please email [3]exemplar@intelligent-addressing.co.uk.

[1] http://www.nlpg.org.uk/nlpg/link.htm?nwid=32
[2] http://www.thensg.org.uk/iansg/link.htm?nwid=104
[3] mailto:exemplar@intelligent-addressing.co.uk

1.4. Everything Happens Somewhere Conference (EHS)

Details for the NLPG NSG annual conference have been finalised. Called 'Everything
Happens Somewhere', the event will take place at Cutlers' Hall in Sheffield on 20th
October.

The conference puts the spotlight on the importance of location and place to service
delivery within local government. The one day event combines presentations from key
industry experts with networking opportunities; a well supported exhibition and the
presentation of the 2010 Exemplar Awards. The event aims to foster innovation and
improvement while also showcasing and rewarding best practice. Keynote speakers
include:

Andrew Young, Durham Council and Chair of the LLPG Regional Chairs Group
Glenn Dobson, Kingston upon Hull City Council and Chair of the LSG Regional Chairs
Group
Stephen Gray, Partnership Programme Manager, AXESS West Sussex
Shaun Powell, Access Transformation Delivery Manager, Welsh Assembly Government
Tony Ellis, Head of IT, London Borough of Brent
Marilyn George, Property Officer, Asset Strategy, East Riding of Yorkshire Council
Ian Hawthorne, Head of Network Management - Enforcement, London Permit Scheme
Michael Wallace, Geographical Information Manager, British Transport Police

The conference programme is now available on the [1]NLPG and [2]NSG websites.

We would very much like to 'spread the word' amongst local government and encourage
people who are users of the NLPG or NSG in departments such as education, leisure,
social services, transport, local taxation, CRM, mobilisation etc to attend. If there
is anyone in your authority/fire and rescue service/police force that you feel would
 benefit from a direct invitation to the event, please contact [3]ggander@intelligent-
addressing.co.uk .

Budgets are tight, and we appreciate that it may be difficult to be able find the
resources to attend the conference. But thanks to the sponsorship of our exhibitors,
the conference and exhibition is free to attend for all organisations signed up to the
Mapping Services Agreement (MSA).

It is cheaper to get to Sheffield than you might think. Check the rail and
accommodation deal links on the [4]NLPG and [5]NSG websites. We are working with
Yorkshire South Tourism to provide cut-price train and accommodation deals. Using
these links, if booked far enough in advance on the East Midlands line, Standard single
tickets to Sheffield from London are £13, from Cardiff £28, from York £5.50.
[1] http://www.nlpg.org.uk
[2] http://www.thensg.org.uk
[3] mailto:ggander@intelligent-addressing.co.uk
[4] http://www.nlpg.org.uk
[5] http://www.thensg.org.uk

1.5. Exhibiting at the Everything Happens Somewhere Event

Significant interest has already been shown in the exhibition which accompanies the
NLPG NSG annual conference 'Everything Happens Somewhere'. All of the top level
sponsorship opportunities have been snapped up within a week of launch.

Exhibition spaces are still available, so if you think that your supplier should be
present at the event, please direct them to the 'exhibitor and sponsor information' on
the conference and exhibition pages on the [1]NLPG and [2]NSG websites or email
[3]ggander@intelligent-addressing.co.uk for more information.
[1] http://www.nlpg.org.uk/nlpg/link.htm?nwid=171
[2] http://www.thensg.org.uk/iansg/link.htm?nwid=173
[3] mailto:ggander@intelligent-addressing.co.uk

1.6. NLPG Now Available on a Record by Record Basis

Intelligent Addressing are now able to licence the NLPG data on a record by record
basis, making the data much more affordable and cost effective for small and medium
enterprises (SMEs) to get hold of. As a result the Housing Associations can licence
the data for their holdings, which can then also be used in applications such as NROSH
(National Register of Social Housing), an initiative headed up by the Tenant Services
Authority (TSA), who are now able to licence the data on the same terms. Please
forward any commercial requests to licence the NLPG to [1]nturner@intelligent-
addressing.co.uk or point them to NLPG Sales Pages of the website [2]www.nlpg.org.uk.
[1] mailto:nturner@intelligent-addressing.co.uk
[2] http://www.nlpg.org.uk/nlpg/link.htm?nwid=27

1.7. Launch of LGA Research into Financial Value of GI

The Local Government Association (LGA) Group will shortly be launching research
providing analysis of the financial value of GI for local public services. The
research will be formally launched at a seminar next week. The research includes a
wide range of case studies all of which demonstrate how financial savings have been
 realised through the use of GI. The research will also be published online on the LGA
Analysis and Research pages shortly. See the [1]LGA website for more information.

The research will be launched at on 29th June in London. See the LGA website for more
information. a forthcoming Local Government Association (LGA) seminar jointly organised
with the Association for Geographic Information (AGI) Local Public Sector special
interest group, which may be of some interest to you. The event is taking place on the
29 June in Westminster, London. Further information and booking details for the Share
to Save: How Geographic Information (GI) can equip the public sector to do more with
less event can be found [2]here
[1] http://www.lga.gov.uk/lga/core/page.do?pageId=1036233
[2]
http://calendar.agi.org.uk/ViewItem.html?integral=0&detail=0&cal_item_id=702&dtwhen=245
5377&style_sheet=userStyle.css&checkafter=1275642468450

1.8. More for less in West Sussex

AXESS West Sussex is using the latest technology to improve communications between
citizens and the council, making savings of tens of thousands of pounds.

AXESS West Sussex, a partnership of County, District and Borough Councils, is using the
latest technology combining online maps, SMS text messaging and handheld mobile devices
to help tackle fly tipping and litter in Crawley. The NLPG - the definitive land and
property database for England and Wales, is at the heart of this Award-winning project
to transform street cleaning in West Sussex. Through improving communications between
citizens and the council, tens of thousands of pounds worth of savings plus tangible
improvements in operational efficiency and service delivery have been realised

See [1]www.nlpg.org.uk for more information.

[1] http://www.nlpg.org.uk/nlpg/document.htm?targ=753

1.9. New NLPG Users and Licence Renewals

During April and May 2010 the following organisations entered into (or extended their
current arrangements for) a Commercial NLPG Licence with LGIH. In another positive
quarter IA continues to significantly expanding the NLPG user base and scope of
application.
Office for National Statistics (ONS)
Cestria Community Housing
Bracknell Forest Homes
Wakefield and District Housing

1.10. Department of Energy and Climate Change License NLPG

The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has chosen to license NLPG. DECC
will use the NLPG as part of its National Energy Efficiency Data framework (NEED). The
NEED project aims to provide property level information on building energy use and
performance.

See [1]DECC License NLPG for more information.

[1] http://www.nlpg.org.uk/nlpg/document.htm?targ=760
1.11. Welsh Assembly Government Adopts the NLPG
The Welsh Assembly Government has chosen to license the NLPG as its source of property
information for its forthcoming Planning Application registration and tracking system.
The decision was taken as it was felt that only the NLPG could provide the accuracy and
depth of coverage as well as the reliability required.

See [1]Welsh Government Adopts the NLPG for more information.

[1] http://www.nlpg.org.uk/nlpg/document.htm?targ=763

1.12. VOA Matching

The current Council Tax match rate is now 99.44%. All 9 regions in England are now
over 99%, with 6 regions over 99.5% and over 85% of authorities have a CTAX match rate
of more than 99%. There are no local authorities with a CTAX match rate of less than
90%. The current Non Domestic Rates match rate continues to rise and now stands at an
all-time high of 77.47%.

1.13. Why Oh Why ?

Despite the proven speed of registering addresses on the NLPG, mortgage lenders and
credit agencies are failing to take advantage of the currency and accuracy of the NLPG.
This was brought sharply into focus on BBC Radio 4's Moneybox programme recently when
a young couple applied for both a mortgage and credit rating, but were refused both.

The reason? Their newly converted flat was not registered in either organisations'
standard address list and they were incorrectly registered on the Electoral Role. As
we all know all such addresses are quickly and easily traceable through the NLPG - the
definitive property database, for the whole of England and Wales!

1.14. Lost in Translation!

There are many stories of embarrassing mistranslations as nations try to communicate
with other nations. A Welsh authority was caught out recently with the following
spied on a residential road. For those of you who do not read welsh the bottom part of
the road sign reads :"I am not in the office at the moment. Send any work to be
translated". It just goes to showeverything needs to be double checked when it comes
back from the translators!

1.15. Twitter
There are now twitter feeds for the NLPG and NSG as well as the annual conference.
Follow #NLPG #NSG and #EHS2010.
2. NLPG

2.1. Regional Custodians Meeting

South West Regional meeting 8th July - Council Chamber, Taunton Deane Borough Council,
Taunton, TA1 1HE.
3. NSG

3.1. NSG in the News

The NSG has recently featured in two trade magazines: "Keeping Traffic Moving" in the
Institute of Water Journal - see [1]www.thensg.org.uk and "The NSG: roadmap for the
future in Surveyor Magazine"- see [2]www.thensg.org.uk.
[1] http://www.thensg.org.uk/iansg/document.htm?targ=761
[2] http://www.thensg.org.uk/iansg/document.htm?targ=762

3.2. Regional Custodians Meeting

South West Regional meeting 8th July - Council Chamber, Taunton Deane Borough Council,
Taunton, TA1 1HE.

3.3. NSG Events

Three HAUCs 8th July 2010, Wetherby Racecourse

SE HAUC 14th July 2010, Sandown Park Racecourse