Data Observatory Programme
The Yorkshire and Humber Data Observatory Programme is a collection of initiatives (projects) which aim to provide a range of tools and processes to collect, store and analyse data by local government officers, the general public and other stakeholders in order to improve understanding and decision making either within an authority or across authorities throughout the Yorkshire and Humber region. topofpage
The programme seeks to both build on existing IT initiatives and implement new Local Information Systems (LIS) to provide:
- A consistent approach to data collection thereby ensuring good data quality;
- Access to data via a number of means, including geographic areas, common data sets and key word searches;
- A range of publishing tools either over the web or via standard reports. LIS uses tables, charts and maps to provide clear interpretation of the analysis.
In addition to LIS implementation the programme will seek ways in which to improve efficiency and enhance partnership and collaborative working in the Yorkshire and Humber region, connecting together shared knowledge and expertise in GIS spatial intelligence.
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Data Observatory Programme Objectives
The data observatory programme is both innovative and challenging. The programme has a number of key objectives which aim to help improve our public services and quality of life as follows:
- To provide easy online access to population, economic, community safety, health and education data related to neighbourhoods and small areas and ultimately the entire Yorkshire and Humber region;
- To develop a joined up stadardised and quality assured small area information system for local authorities, partner agencies, communities and elected members in authorities and sub regions, leading to improvement and innovation in working practices, information sharing and processes;
- To enhance partnership and collaborative working across the Yorkshire and Humber region and connecting together, sharing knowledge and expertise in a challenging and supportive way that transforms working practice and encourages a culture of continuous improvement;
- To spread and share learning and good practice across the Yorkshire and Humber region helping partners to be self directed, identifying what works and what can be improved and build upon.
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Data Observatory Programme Deliverables
- Improved performance and identification of areas of inequalities: The Data Observatory provides key statistics, contextual information, data and maps which will enable the identification of areas of inequalities to enable more efficient targeting of resources and formulation of policy related initiatives.
- Enables the identification and assessment of key demands / likely demands within the region, to enable more effective targeting of resources and facilitate improvement. The Data Observatory helps to ensure that the right decisions are made to target resources and funding appropriately to help effectively regenerate areas and reduce the inequalities between areas as wells as supporting performance management frameworks for Local Area Agreements.
- Supports the development, delivery and performance management for Local Area Agreements, Comprehensive Area Assessments and Multi Area Assessments. In addition to enhancing and developing the information on the Data Observatory regarding Local Area Agreement performance targets the programme would pursue the opportunity for incorporating information for the City Regions.
- Improved efficiency and consistency. The Data Observatory provides comparability and comparison of small areas across the region, allowing learning to be shared and duplication of effort in terms of systems being developed and supported, to be avoided. An important deliverable will be the requirement to develop/formalise data sharing agreements and templates to ensure that data is collected in the same way and can therefore be compared within LIS(s) across the region. Efficiencies in the purchasing and use of common Data Sets will also be explored by the programme.
- Enhanced partnership working and sharing of expertise across the region. The Data Observatory facilitates cross-border working, engaging partners, and offers the opportunity for areas with similar profiles across the sub region to link together and share good practice and expertise.
- Effective use of existing expertise for overall regional gain. The Data Observatory will draw upon existing LIS(s) and expertise, enhancing collaborative working thus driving forward improvement in data collection for the region as a whole as well as delivering value for money.