On 4 August 2011 the Government launched a consultation on data policy for a Public Data Corporation. This consultation was launched in conjunction with the Cabinet Office’s consultation on Making Open Data Real.
We want to hear from everyone – citizens, businesses, public services themselves, and other interest groups – on how best we can provide a consistent approach towards access to and accessibility of public sector information, balancing the desire for more data being freely available at the point of use whilst ensuring affordability and value for taxpayers.
You can find more information about the consultation document and how to get involved by following the links on this page. The consultation closes on 27 October 2011.
The background
In January this year, Government announced its intention to create a Public Data Corporation (PDC). This would bring together data-rich organisations with the aims of:
- Providing a more consistent approach towards access to and accessibility of public sector information, balancing the desire for more data free at the point of use whilst ensuring affordability and value for taxpayers.
- Creating a centre of excellence driving further efficiencies in the public sector.
- Creating a vehicle that can attract private investment.
Government believes that a PDC will provide structures and incentives to promote greater access to, and usage of, public data and information, delivering benefits for the wider economy.
There are also significant opportunities to drive efficiency and improvement of public services through better sharing of key data between organisations.
The Government has already made progress toward the establishment of a PDC, through bringing under single departmental sponsorship three organisations that may potentially form part of a PDC: HM Land Registry, Met Office and Ordnance Survey. A Transition Board has been established which will oversee the establishment of a PDC by the end of 2011.
In order to take decisions on membership, strategy and structure of a PDC it is critical that Government is clear about the data policy framework that will apply.
This consultation explores questions on key aspects of data policy – charging, licensing and regulation of public sector information produced by the PDC for re-use – that will determine how a PDC can deliver against all its objectives.
The responses to this consultation will enable Government to reflect on an appropriate policy framework before consideration of the business case and decisions on membership and structure of a PDC are taken in the autumn.”
