Merging of LPSA and Ordnance Survey

1. Does your organisation currently have any responsibilities:

a) in Northern Ireland

b) for the UK as a whole

c) for representing the UK internationally

 2. How many written requests in favour of merging the Ordnance Survey and LPSA (Land and Property Services Agency) or the Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland have been received by your organisation since 5^th May 2005?  Please enclose a hard copy of any requests received within that timeframe and also any written responses from your organisation.

3. How many written requests against merging the Ordnance Survey and LPSA (Land and Property Services Agency) or the Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland have been received by your organisation since 5^th May 2005?  Please enclose a hard copy of any requests received within that timeframe and also any written responses from your organisation.

4. What research has been conducted by your organisation since 5^th May 2005 into the costs and benefits of merging the Ordnance Survey and LPSA (Land and Property Services Agency) or the Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland?  Please enclose a hard copy of any research reports

5. What research has been commissioned from external consultants by your organisation since 5^th May 2005 into the costs and benefits of merging the Ordnance Survey and LPSA (Land and Property Services Agency) or the Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland?  Please enclose a hard copy of any research reports.

6. How many meetings involving Ordnance Survey staff have taken place since 5^th May 2005 on the subject of merging the Ordnance Survey and LPSA (Land and Property Services Agency) or the Ordnance Survey Northern Ireland? Please enclose a hard copy of any relevant agendas and minutes. 

Thank you for your letter dated 13^th July 2010, and clarifying e-mail of the 24^th July 2010. We respond to each of your points in turn as follows:

1. The response to a & b is No.  The response to c is Yes.
2. Ordnance Survey has no record of any written requests in favour of the merging the Ordnance Survey and LPSA (Land and Property Services Agency) being received since 5^th May 2005.
3. Ordnance survey has no record of any written requests against the merger of Ordnance Survey and LPSA (Land and Property Services Agency) being received since 5^th May 2005.
4. No research has been conducted by Ordnance Survey since 5^th May 2005 on this topic.
5. No research has been commission from external consultants by Ordnance Survey since the 5^th May 2005 on this topic.
6. No meetings involving Ordnance Survey staff have taken place since 5^th May 2005 on this subject.

We would also like to clarify, that Ordnance Survey and Ordnance Survey Northern Ireland became separate departments circa 1920.  They now operate under different jurisdictions, work to different mapping specifications and have different product and service portfolios as a result of their different customer bases, as well as different funding regimes.

Please note that your enquiry has been processed according to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA).  If you are unhappy with our response, you may raise an appeal with our Appeals Officer at:

Complaints Team

Customer Service Centre

Ordnance Survey

Romsey Road

SOUTHAMPTON

SO16 4GU

In all correspondence relating to this issue please include the reference number below. The Appeals Officer will ensure that the original process has been followed correctly, questioning any decisions taken regarding the original response and recommending disclosure of additional information where appropriate.

Thank you for your enquiry.

Reference number: FOI1085/July 2010