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6 March 2013

PSMA members set to benefit from new Public Sector Licence

The Department of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and Royal Mail's Address Management Unit (AMU) are pleased to announce the planned introduction of the PAF Public Sector Licence. The PAF Public Sector Licence is intended to widen access to, and increase usage of PAF by public sector organisations.

From 1 April 2014, public sector organisations in England and Wales will be able to use PAF for free at the point of use. BIS will make a single, central payment to Royal Mail that will cover these public sector organisations use. There will be a phased approach to the introduction of the new terms for the use of PAF within the public sector. From the 1 April 2013, members of the Public Sector Mapping Agreement (PSMA) will be able to take advantage of the PAF Public Sector Licence to support their use of addressing products provided through the PSMA.

Angela Latta, Head of Data Services & Strategy at BIS said: “Thousands of public sector organisations rely on the address and postcode information held within PAF to deliver vital services to the public. The PAF Public Sector Licence will simplify PAF licensing for the public sector. This will enable organisations to access and use PAF to improve efficiency, support collaborative working practices and stimulate innovation.”

Steve Rooney, Head of Royal Mail’s Address Management Unit, added: “The PAF Public Sector Licence will make it easier for public sector organisations to make greater use of PAF. In their recent consultation paper on PAF, Ofcom asked Royal Mail to simplify PAF licensing. We believe the PAF Public Sector Licence is the first step in delivering exactly that.”

Dr Vanessa Lawrence CB, Ordnance Survey Director General and Chief Executive, said: “The announcement from the Royal Mail and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) to remove PAF royalty payments for members of the Public Sector Mapping Agreement (PSMA) is a positive development.

“More than 2 900 public sector organisations, in England and Wales, are signed up to the PSMA and are able to access high-quality geographic data, for free at the point of use, to help deliver public services, drive efficiencies and underpin decision making. Accurate address data supports a multitude of public services, ranging from the emergency services, to school transport and refuse collection. Addressing data provides accurate identification of properties and addresses across Great Britain and is vitally important in joining up information and datasets from various sources.

“It is hoped that this significant announcement will encourage more PSMA members to use addressing data.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

  1. Ordnance Survey maintains the definitive geographic framework of Great Britain and is responsible for the surveying, production, maintenance and marketing of a wide range of geographic information (mapping), relied on by government, local authorities, business and individuals.
  2. Up to 10,000 changes are made to the master map database every day. Changes in the urban and rural landscapes are captured by a team of 230 field surveyors and two light aircrafts fitted with high-powered digital cameras.
  3. For further information on the PSMA visit www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/psma

For more information from Ordnance Survey, please contact:

Rob Andrews – Head of Corporate Communications


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