How Ordnance Survey digital maps can help Local Councils

Ordnance Survey digital maps can benefits communities by helping to improve public services at the local level.

Maps can also help communities plan for the future, to shape their local area, and support their Neighbourhood Plan. Many town, parish and community councils require mapping to support their business activities; such as, asset management, grounds maintenance and planning local events.

For more details, please see the sections below.

What does Ordnance Survey do?

Ordnance Survey is Great Britain’s national mapping agency. In addition to producing our paper maps we create and maintain the most accurate and up-to-date geographical data, relied on by government, businesses and individuals.

Learn more about Ordnance Survey and its role as Great Britain's mapping agency here.

What is geographical information?

Geographical information (GI), includes information about the location, shape and attributes of real world objects, such as roads and houses. This enables computers to manipulate, update and analyse the data in different ways. To benefit from geographical data you need to use it in conjunction with a Geographic Information System (GIS).

Learn more about GI and other map related concepts on our Learning and resources page which including videos and FAQs to help answer your questions.

How can Ordnance Survey help local councils?

Public sector organisations in England and Wales now have access to Ordnance Survey mapping data under a single agreement known as the Public Sector Mapping Agreement (PSMA).

The PSMA commenced on the 1 April 2011 and gives Town and Parish Councils the opportunity to access geographical data free at the point of use.

The data is accessed via our online ordering pages. The PSMA portfolio includes a wide range of datasets of different scales and functions.

The licence allows members to use our mapping to help them deliver their public services. This means you can share information with other members and organisations outside the agreement, such as infrastructure bodies. However, it does not allow you to commercially exploit the data. Further information on our PSMA Licensing page.

How can Ordnance Survey help community councils?

To learn more about how community councils in Scotland can work with Ordnance Survey, please visit the OSMA pages.

Town, Parish and Community Councils using Ordnance Survey mapping

There are already over 1400 local councils signed up to the PSMA and more signing up every week. Here are some examples:

See how West Bletchley Council uses digital mapping to bring significant improvements to planning their annual carnival. Using digital mapping to plan the parade route and layout of the main site has enhanced the enjoyment and safety of the local public and people attending.

See how Immingham Town Council have improved their street cleaning service with digital mapping.