Data is at the heart of the efficient delivery of most public services. Yet in the past, a host of different collective agreements for geographic information between various parts of the public sector led to problems sharing information and that proved to be costly.
The Public Sector Mapping Agreement (PSMA), which allows organisations to improve service delivery using digital maps, may help to turn this around.
The agreement provides access to a wide range of geographic datasets from Ordnance Survey to almost every public sector organisation in England and Wales, regardless of size or resources. The PSMA is a nationally negotiated and centrally funded agreement, so the data is free at the point of use and there is no additional cost to subscribe.
Almost 2,000 organisations have already signed up since the agreement was launched in April last year. In the first nine months alone, members confirmed significant savings.
Blackpool council is expected to save more than £100m over 25 years by using data available through the agreement. The authority has undertaken a four-year project to address a highways and pathways maintenance backlog.
As the council's largest asset with a valuation in excess of £500m the road network is crucial to the functioning of the city. Blackpool had underinvested in maintenance over many years. The result was a gradual but accelerating deterioration of roads and footpaths, resulting in costly insurance claims from "tripping or fall" accidents.
The highways team tried to increase repair programmes, but it was difficult to convince elected members to invest against competing demands from other, more prominent services. To make the case for funding, accurate statements of highway and footway conditions and the cost of necessary work were needed.
Using data provided under the PSMA, Blackpool introduced a new method of recording, managing and reporting on its highways. As a result, Blackpool council is able to accurately determine the condition of their roads and the cost of any remedial treatments required.
A wealth of geo-referenced highways data – including details of kerb heights and conditions, thermoplastic markings and signage – has been recorded and is available for analysis and costing. The quality of this assessment data has boosted confidence in the results, which in turn supported the business case for an initial investment in the four-year plan to tackle the backlog.
As well as saving money, Blackpool expects to avoid major reconstruction projects and cut its reliance on increasingly expensive oil-based products such as bitumen. Using mapping, the council has moved to proactive rather than reactive road maintenance, helping to repair 60km of carriageways and 132km of footpaths.
Geographical information contained within the PSMA is now also being used in other areas of the authority, including emergency planning, tourism and leisure and customer response.
Ian Carter is strategic manager for local government at Ordnance Survey. You can find out more about the PSMA here.
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