The 'Data Ob Blog' - Latest News from the Data Observatory Programme
The Data Observatory Programme continues to run on or near to the original schedule with programme closure and review task taking place in May and formal closure with YoHr Space (RIEP) expected end of June 2011.
The South Yorkshire LASOS system profiling tool is now LIVE and final testing is currently ongoing to ensure that the tool is fully functional by the end of March 2011. A key requirement is that the tool is able to automatically imitate a typical JSNA report. Work is ongoing in Barnsley and Doncaster in relation to JSNA production in LASOS. Sheffield are also now looking at this as a more effective mechanism to deliver these types of reports. The Central Support function in Barnsley will continue to offer support and assistance to LASOS users across the sub-region up until end of March 2011 when the RIEP funding for the LASOS support post ceases. Sys Admin tasks will still be undertaken. From April onwards each local authority will deal with it's own area enquiries. There is now a lot of information, guidance and support material available on LASOS so users will be directed to use these on-line resources in the future. There is also a Community of Practice Forum for LASOS upon which users can exchange and share learning.
STREAM - STatistics, REsearch And Mapping - The Local Information System for York & North Yorkshire (www.streamlis.org.uk) has been undergoing testing with initial system issues being passed back to the appropriate suppliers to resolve prior to the release of updated versions of the system for further testing.
Demonstration events have been arranged across the County and York for partner agencies to see the functionality of the system and ask questions etc, these are scheduled during April.
A forum has been set up on the Communities of Practice website to share information and updates in relation to progress for STREAM. Go Live of STREAM the North Yorkshire LIS currently planned for May 2011.
The Humber Data Observatory (www.humberdataobservatory.org.uk site development and data loading activities have continued during the period. The Humber sub-regional site branding has been completed and the National data packs and reports delivered have now been uploaded along with some Humber wide Partner data. In parallel to the Humber site development, the four local data observatories have been upgraded to the latest version of the software and will during March have their sites branded and sub-set data loaded into them as well as the addition of any appropriate local data sets. Go Live of the Humber Data Observatory currently scheduled for May 2011
In West Yorkshire the key development has been the delivery and implementation of the Observatory solution and of supporting data packs. The Project Team are presently working on core data and Flash Dynamic Reports to be included in the ‘Phase 1’ launch of the sites. Design/branding work is also presently underway, with Kirklees MDC taking the lead on developing templates. A further important and innovative piece of work currently taking place will enable the provision of Ward-based statistics despite the fact that Ward boundary changes presently make Ward-level stats unavailable from National statistical sources for any of the five WY Districts. The project has purchased detailed up-to date population data in order to be able to estimate the proportions of each Output Area (ONS statistical units) that fall into each Ward. This will be provided as look-up tables enabling the application of weighting factors to supply Ward–level estimates. This work is in turn expected to deliver a major efficiency in terms of providing locally relevant and useful small-area level. Go Live of the West Yorkshire Data Observatory Release 1 due May 2011
The primary Programme tasks in the coming months will be to assist the sub-regional Projects in evaluating Business Benefits and Efficiencies, ensuring that there is actual sub-regional LIS connectivity via ease of access across the four sub-regional LIS(s) and putting measure in place to ensure that post programme shared knowledge and working initiatives are established. In support of this further discussions and planning with Yorkshire Forward are ongoing to see what can be done in terms of facilitating ‘Regional Working’ in the future.
Programme Benefits 4 and 5 have been completed with efficiency savings of up to £300k already being claimed by the Programme. The further evaluations of Benefits 1,2 and 3 will be looked at in the next period and completed prior to Programme closure in June 2011.
As a reminder the 5 Programme Benefits are focussed in the following areas:
Benefit 1 - Improved Policy & Strategy decision making
Benefit 2 - Improved access to local, sub-regional and regional information
Benefit 3 - The establishment of shared working initiatives
Benefit 4 - Establish common ‘Data Sharing’ protocols
Benefit 5 - Provision of joint Sub Regional and Regional procurement exercises
So as we approach the end of March the programme is well placed to deliver systems that can be used to improve data access and analysis whilst enhancing partnership and collaborative working at a Local and sub-regional level....so continue to watch this space and watch YoHr Space!
April 2011
Kevin Priday is the Data Observatory Programme Manager
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