This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Geographic information strategy
08/11/2005
A strategy to ensure public bodies share geographic information to help deliver the best possible services was published by the Executive today.
One Scotland, One Geography, is a geographic information strategythat aims to ensure public bodies work in partnership and share information about geography to meet the needs of users.
At the Convention of the Highlands and Islands in Inverary, Deputy Finance and Public Service Reform Minister George Lyon said:
"Geography is important for Scotland - it is an important part of our unique national identity. It is also the key to focussing effort on the places where improvements are most needed as well as helping to decide policy priorities.
"That is why I see the effective use of geographic information a powerful tool in the delivery of better public services which are effective, efficient and focussed on the needs of the people who use them.
"Scotland is a small country where strong partnerships and joint solutions to challenges not only make good sense, but are achievable. We have a single shared geography - One Scotland - One Geography. We need to develop common approaches, common standards and to share as much as possible of the information about Scotland's geography, to ensure that we meet the needs and expectations of the people of Scotland."
This strategy was drawn up by the Executive at the request of key interested parties, who were consulted about the initial draft. There was strong support for the Executive's approach and the final version of the Strategy has taken account of the views expressed during the consultation period. It describes how to make a more systematic and effective use of geographic information in the development and delivery of policy and services to the people of Scotland. Geographic information, used properly, can help make better policies, identify and analyse problems which vary from place to place and monitor the effectiveness of service delivery - generally providing new insights into Scotland and its people.
Many of the direct commitments in the strategy are for the Executive to implement. The strategy is not for the Executive alone, but for all involved in public service delivery.
The effectiveness of the strategy, its development and its implementation will depend on the continuing involvement of a wide group of partners from public, private, voluntary and academic sectors. The Executive will be organising a forum meeting in December at which those who responded to the consultation, and others who are interested, can be involved in the implementation of the strategy, in the period 2006 to 2011.
The full Strategy is based on consultation on a draft strategy carried out in October 2004. 33 responses to the consultation were received from a wide range of individuals and bodies including the Association for Geographic Information, the University of Edinburgh and the United Kingdom Hydrographic office, together with many Local Authorities and private companies.