Ordnance Survey – Great Britain's national mapping agency
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Information available | The role of Ordnance Survey | Appeals and internal reviews | Formats and fees | FOI enquiries log| Data protection
The Ordnance Survey website refers to all kinds of information (referred to under the FOIA as classes of information), which we publish both for internal and external use. Publication does not refer solely to printed material. It also includes information in other formats, such as electronic documents and data.
The description of the types of information in the scheme should be meaningful to users, and no knowledge of our organisational structure should be required to navigate around it.
Any comments, suggestions or complaints about this scheme should be sent in writing to the Complaints team, Ordnance Survey, Romsey Road, SOUTHAMPTON, SO16 4GU, or email customerservices@ordnancesurvey.co.uk.
Types of information (including definition where appropriate)
Access to information policies: including Ordnance Survey Gaelic Names Policy and the Welsh Language Scheme.
Applications: overview of case studies on how our mapping data is used.
Business portfolio: catalogues and price lists.
Careers: a guide to posts available with us.
Consultations and external papers: written either by other bodies or jointly with Ordnance Survey and covering various subjects. They include a study on the economics of government and geographical information systems and results of consultation exercise for National Interest Mapping Services Agreement (NIMSA).
Copyright and branding: information about commercial issues, trademarks and copyright issues.
Corporate Annual Report and Accounts: including some previous reports.
Corporate information: a general guide on the governance of Ordnance Survey.
Corporate reviews: including Quinquennial Review and Spending Review.
Downloads and games: from our Education section.
Education products and services: including overview of our services to higher education, schools and Ordnance Survey MapZone® (a specific website for children).
Election maps: Helping to understanding the electoral geography of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Exhibitions: diary of exhibitions at which Ordnance Survey will be present.
Formal responses to parliamentary questions.
General information about Ordnance Survey and the way that it operates, including a brief history.
Get-a-map™: limited free online maps.
Glossary of terms: including abbreviations used on Ordnance Survey maps and explanations of terms used.
Guidance materials: including information on surveying and mapping, how to read a map, grid references, map numbering and rights of way.
Historical maps: archive of more than half a million previously published maps, dating back to the early 19th century, covering Britain excluding Northern Ireland.
How to buy: our mapping information and products.
International events: a guide to the Cambridge Conference.
Legal information: website terms and conditions.
Leisure: lists of product available through our website.
Levelling records: Triangulation and National GPS Network Station files, including details about Ordnance Survey survey stations, including site plan, when built, by whom, costs, and so on.
Licenses and agreement: a guide to and explanation of our licenses and agreements.
Mapping for emergencies: a free service provided to the emergency services whenever there is a threat to or loss of life.
Market information: a guide to the markets we serve in both the public and private sectors.
National Global Positioning system (GPS) network: a website providing an essential online resource for GPS users in GB.
National Interest Mapping Services Agreement (NIMSA): including Annual Report.
Organisational structures: includes organisational charts and overview of roles and responsibilities within the organisation about Ordnance Survey Board and directors.
OS MasterMap®– digital map database: includes information about OS MasterMap server, user guide and specification.
Ordnance Survey stockists: list of national stockists of Ordnance Survey products.
Partnerships: overview of the partner and developer programme.
Positional accuracy improvement programme: to improve the accuracy of rural mapping and to provide more consistency across rural towns throughout the country: frequently asked questions, details of the policy, programme and comments.
Press releases: also covering a number of past years.
Print services: information about our printing services.
Products: information about all Ordnance Survey products for licensing or sale.
Product support: for after sales care.
Procurement: including overview of Ordnance Survey procurement policy, procedures and list of current contracts.
Publications: which include frequently asked questions, National Currency Audit, Mapping news, professional papers, The economic contribution of Ordnance Survey GB (OXERA report), Report on the Economic aspects of the collection dissemination and integration of government's geospatial information, Data in action web pages (case studies on Ordnance Survey website).
Recruitment: section of Ordnance Survey website, which includes general terms and conditions of employment, current vacancies and benefits.
Research: information about ongoing research commitments.
Revision policy: for basic-scale products: outlines the Ordnance Survey policy for updating its large-scale products, specifically OS MasterMap, Land-Line® and OS Sitemap®.
Standards of service: this includes the Framework document, service delivery agreement and agency performance monitors.
Web links policy: this includes details of how to create a web link with Ordnance Survey and criteria to be met.
Welsh/Cwmraeg: Welsh version of the website.
Applications under the FOIA 2000
Under the FOIA anyone is entitled to request information not otherwise publicly available. (Please note that if you are requesting details relating to yourself or any other living person, the request will be processed under the Data Protection Act
Three of the main features of the FOIA are:
- A general right of access to information held by Ordnance Survey, subject to certain conditions and exemptions, in that we must state whether or not we hold the information requested, and communicate that information to the applicant.
- Some information may be withheld as it might be exempted from disclosure. Except where an absolute exemption applies, Ordnance Survey must inform the applicant why the information is not being released, otherwise known as the Public Interest test, where we must show that maintaining the exemption in question outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information. Ordnance Survey is obliged to respond within 20 working days of receipt of a request.
How do I make a request?
Applications should be in writing and may be submitted by letter or email. So that we can respond fully, they should include your name and correspondence address (email address where applicable). You should also provide as much detail as possible to enable Ordnance Survey to identify the information sought. If information is required in a particular way, for example, a photocopy or on computer disk, this should also be stated in the application. If you have difficulty in identifying the precise information you require, or difficulty in making the application in writing, please contact our staff, who will be pleased to help you. Telephone 08456 05 05 05 or use the email address below.
Requests for information under the FOIA should be addressed to:
Customer Service Centre
Ordnance Survey
Romsey Road
SOUTHAMPTON
SO16 4GU