Geographic Information and Policy: Building An Evidence Base

The challenge for councils is to link data with decision-making. There is increasing pressure on public agencies to make better use of evidence in developing strategy and delivering and monitoring services. The use of geographic information can be critical to the compilation and examination of such evidence by public bodies.

At a workshop on the topic hosted by Oxford Consultants for Social Inclusion (OCSI) at Headstar's recent conference 'Geographical information systems in the public sector' (http://www.headstar-events.com/gis08), delegates examined various examples of good practice in how GI is already being used to support policy.

A report on the workshop by Tom Smith, Director of OCSI was published in the June 23 edition of the E-Government Bulletin and can also be read on EGB Live: http://www.headstar.com/egblive/?p=128 .