Corporate report

Geospatial Commission: Board of Commissioners meeting 18 February 2020

Published 30 April 2020

Geospatial Commission: Board of Commissioners meeting 18 February 2020

The Institution of Mechanical Engineers, 1 Birdcage Walk, London, SW1H 9JJ

Commissioners

Sir Andrew Dilnot (Chair) [excluding items 1-2]
Nigel Clifford (Deputy Chair)
Thalia Baldwin
Dame Kate Barker
Kru Desai
Edwina Dunn OBE
Steve Unger
Michael Mire [excluding items 2-4]

Commission unit

Ellen Bentley
Jamie Clark
Joe Cuddeford
Rosalind Goodfellow
Tim Howard
Owen Jackson
Abigail Page
Heath Pritchard
Catherine Young

Observers

Albert King (Scottish Government)
Jim Lennon (Northern Ireland Executive)

Apologies

Steve Blair Glyn Jones (Welsh Government)

1. Minutes and matters arising

Apologies were received from Steve Blair and Glyn Jones.

The minutes of the previous meeting were reviewed and approved for publication.

Michael Mire provided a report from the Partner Bodies, in his capacity as Nominated Commissioner.

Thalia Baldwin provided a report from the Geospatial Commission Unit, in her capacity as Director.

2. Public Sector Mapping Agreement update

Jamie Clark provided an update on the process for renewal of the current Public Sector Mapping Agreement.

The Board noted the vision for the new contract to meet the developing needs of its public sector customers and to enhance the UK’s national geospatial data asset.

3. Underground Asset Register pilot demonstration

Heath Pritchard conducted a demonstration of the prototype that has been developed by the two underground asset register pilots, based in London and the North East of England, in collaboration with Ordnance Survey, the Greater London Authority, Northumbrian Water and other bodies. The pilots have been live since May 2019.

The Board noted the impressive progress made. It was agreed that the Commission’s focus should now be on maintaining momentum in order to translate the outputs into the next phase of activity.

4. UN-GGIM High Level Forum update

Abigail Page introduced plans for the upcoming UN-GGIM High Level Forum, to be hosted by the UK on 20-22 April 2020. The event will be the sixth meeting of the High Level Forum and will welcome delegates from across the world for discussions and consultations around the theme ‘Changing the World - Geospatially’.

The Geospatial Commission has been developing key themed conversations that support the UK’s international and domestic agenda, and will continue to work with Ordnance Survey in the lead up to the event.

5. UK Geospatial Strategy review

Joe Cuddeford presented the latest working draft of the UK Geospatial Strategy. The Board discussed the draft document, accounting for feedback received through ongoing engagement with the devolved administrations, the Commission’s Partner Bodies, and other central government departments. The Board noted key priorities for the Strategy include:

1. highlighting the achievements already being realised by the private and public sector through innovative use of geospatial data;
2. using and promoting clear and accessible language to discuss geospatial data and its use; and
3. determining clear and key priorities for the UK that will realise economic, social and environmental benefit for the UK .

The Commission Unit will continue shaping the Strategy for a further discussion at the next meeting of the Board in March.

6. Any other business

There was no other business. The next meeting of the Board of Commissioners will take place on Tuesday 24 March 2020.