[Talk-gb-westmidlands] Fwd: OpenData policy

Sat Apr 12 13:44:41 UTC 2014

Hi everyone

This is the response I've received. I haven't formulated a response yet. At
first sight it looks positive, but a second reading reveals
inconsistencies. Any thoughts greatly appreciated before I respond.

Regards

Brian

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Councillor James McKay <James.McKay at birmingham.gov.uk>
Date: Fri, Apr 11, 2014 at 12:43 PM
Subject: RE: OpenData policy
To: Brian Prangle <brian at mappa-mercia.org>

 Dear  Brian

In response to your query about the maps published that illustrate the
20mph zones and if these could be released as public open data:

*Reason why the maps have been published as .pdf documents with Crown
Copyright*

The maps were initially produced to be used as hardcopy in face to face
meetings with residents to prepare the full public consultation. These were
origninally based on the A-Z map background to make it easier for residents
to relate to their local area.  A-Z maps require the copyright statement.
During the meetings it became clear that many residents did not understand
what the statement of '90% of roads could be made into 20mph zones' related
to, e.g. questioning if Hagley Road would now receive a speed limit.  It
was therefore decided that the existing (copyrighted) maps should be
published as soon as possible on the web for widest reach.   This meant
that the map background was changed from A-Z to OS, which no longer needs
to have the Crown copyright. However, the standard statement remained on
the maps.

*Release as Open Data*

The Transportation Team has the *full intention to release the mapping
information as public open data*, when the official consultation starts in
summer. The current maps have already triggered comments about corrections
needed to some of the road markings and the team is aware that some level
of data cleansing is still required.  Transportation is collecting these
requests and amending the data.  They will publish the data layers as
public open data, when data cleansing has taken place.  This is to avoid
different versions of the maps being circulated, which could happen if the
current data layers were published and independently corrected by
individuals.

Also, the council currently only has the data for the 10% of roads that are
NOT eligible for the 20mph approach, which has been mapped. The data for
the 90% of streets that could be 20mph is not available.  Therefore only
the data layer for the 10% can be published.

The officer responsible for the maps is Will Martin
will.martin at birmingham.gov.uk who is happy to talk to you directly and
update you on progress of the planned publication as open data.

Best regards

James

Cllr James McKay
Harborne ward
Cabinet Member for a Green, Safe and Smart City

Sent on: Friday, 11 April 2014

*From:* Brian Prangle [mailto:brian at mappa-mercia.org]
*Sent:* Saturday, March 29, 2014 3:30 PM
*To:* Councillor James McKay
*Subject:* Re: OpenData policy

Councillor McKay

Thanks for your prompt action on this - I look forward to some progress
after many months of frustration. It will be great to see Birmingham more
in the forefront on OpenData rather than a laggard behind the likes of
Glasgow and Nottingham.

Regards

Brian

On Sat, Mar 29, 2014 at 12:22 PM, Councillor James McKay <
James.McKay at birmingham.gov.uk> wrote:

Thanks John, Brian.

I have referred the query on, and will come back to you both ASAP.

James

Cllr James McKay

Harborne ward, Birmingham City Council

Cabinet Member for a Green, Safe and Smart City

0121 3033509

On 29 Mar 2014, at 12:08, "Councillor John O'Shea" <
John.O'Shea at birmingham.gov.uk> wrote:

 Brian,

I couldn't agree more.

I've argued for open data as a councillor and a member of the Transport,
Connectivity and Sustainability Committee. I entirely support the
OpenStreetmap project and believe that we should be embracing it and
encouraging it.

James/Ian - I suspect this might be an oversight in licencing terms. Could
you have a look at it and let me know, as well as Mr Prangle, when it can
be resolved or what insurmountable problems lie in the way of opening up
our data to the people?

Regards,

John O'Shea
Cllr John O'Shea
Labour
Chair, Acocks Green Ward Committee
Tel 07867 469886
Working with Cllr Stewart Stacey for Acocks Green

*From*: Brian Prangle [mailto:brian at mappa-mercia.org<brian at mappa-mercia.org>]

*Sent*: Friday, March 28, 2014 03:51 PM
*To*: Councillor James McKay
*Cc*: Councillor John O'Shea
*Subject*: OpenData policy

Dear Councillor McKay

I am writing to you in your capacity of being responsible for Smart City
policy (I've also copied my local councillor who I shall be lobbying
separately).

Birmingham City Council has a worthy OpenData Policy for which v2.0 was
published in 2013. A key principle established in the policy  is:

"All data will be published with a UK Open Government Licence"

The recent publication of data relating to the creation of new 20mph zones
within the City<http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/cs/Satellite?c=Page&childpagename=Road-Safety%2FPageLayout&cid=1223445027910&pagename=BCC%2FCommon%2FWrapper%2FInlineWrapper>does
not comply with this policy. Whilst it is published on Ordnance Survey
OpenData base maps you claim Crown Copyright. We want to use this data to
incorporate into an online map - OpenStreetMap- as the 20 mph zones are
rolled out, thereby contributing to Birmingham being a Smart City with its
citizens producing an online map that keeps up to date with the city's
infrastructure. However we cannot do so until the data is published
unequivocally under an OpenData licence as required by your policy.

Notwithstanding you claiming Crown Copyright on an OpenData Ordnance Survey
base map, there are also specific exemptions that local authorities can
apply for from Ordnance
Survey<http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/business-and-government/help-and-support/public-sector/guidance/derived-data-exemptions.html>

Your OpenData policy also states:

"The responsibility for ensuring compliance with the Open Data principles
lies with the Performance and Information Division within the Corporate
Resources Directorate"

I urge you to refer this non-compliance  as required above for an early
resolution so we can start using the data, and I look forward to the
publication of this data in an open format under  a UK Open Government
Licence.

Regards

Brian Prangle

Community Co-ordinator

0121 604 1141

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