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Local Data Systems
The following examples are included here to give you an idea of some of the diverse approaches taken to organising local data systems across the country. These examples were identified in an ODPM Neighbourhood Renewal Unit (NRU) research project looking at 'what's out there' in terms of local data systems. The Research Report can be downloaded here.
The Leicester Shire Online Research Atlas (LSORA)
LSORA was launched in September 2004 to provide local partners with detailed data and analysis against the backdrop of national data such as the Census. Key advantages over NeSS were to include data from local partners, updated faster and more often, and available at a more detailed level than provided on NeSS. For example monthly crime data is provided at Output Area level. The Online Research Atlas allows users to view more than 500 statistics in interactive map and table format at Output Area, Super Output Area and ward level. Data can be exported as Excel format
Contact details: Ged Moss, GMoss@leics.gov.uk, 0116 265 8148
Website: www.lsora.org
Bristol State of the Neighbourhoods (SON)
The Bristol State of the Neighbourhoods (SON) was developed to meet the recognised need in Bristol for tracking progress in the ten city NRF priority areas. Alongside more qualitative evaluation of the NRF, and the District level data provided by the NRU Floor Targets Interactive website, the SON provides quantitative outcome data at small area level - allowing research and evaluation teams to identify the impact of projects across Bristol, and monitor how the gaps between the most deprived areas and the city as a whole are changing over time.
All data are available through a set of Excel spreadsheets, with separate spreadsheets for each key Neighbourhood Renewal theme. These are downloadable from the SON website, which also provides analysis of the data in terms of Floor Targets.
Contact details: Nick Harrison, Supporting Evidence for Local Delivery (SELD), Nick.Harrison@swo.org.uk, 01823 447397; Katherine Williams, Bristol City Council, Katherine_williams@bristol-city.gov.uk
Website: www.bristolforward.net/evaluation/neighbourhoods.asp
Norfolk Data Observatory (NDO)
The Norfolk Data Observatory is the primary source for detailed data across the county. Interactive features allow users to view data in map and table format at a variety of geographical scales.
Data is organised by theme, including business, labour market, learning, demography, deprivation, health, crime and Census 2001. Within each theme, a mixture of national and local datasets are provided.
Contact: Wendy Pontin, Demography and Information Team Leader, 01603 222 737, wendy.pontin@norfolk.gov.uk
Website:www.norfolkdata.net
Website:www.norfolkdata.net
Rotherham Neighbourhood Statistics
The Rotherham Neighbourhood Statistics project was setup under the Single Regeneration Budget Round 6 programme, with further support from the NRF. The focus was on developing and analysing sub-ward level information that could be updated annually - ward level data is not adequate for Rotherham Neighbourhood Renewal purposes, with most wards across the Borough containing extremely deprived areas.
The Neighbourhood Statistics project developed the Local Index of Multiple Deprivation (LIMD), a small area measure of deprivation based on local data-sources able to be updated annually. The LIMD was used to target the Rotherham Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy, with local partner data at small area level also used to monitor progress in priority target areas.
The Neighbourhood Statistics website is one of the project outputs - data from local partners is provided in map, chart and table format, with data also provided aggregated to local communities.
Websites: www.rotherham.gov.uk/graphics/YourCouncil/Statistics+on+Rotherham and www2.rotherham.gov.uk/statsmaps/main.htm
Contact: Michael Hellewell, 01709 822 787, Michael.Hellewell@rotherham.gov.uk
Newham Neighbourhood Information Management System (NIMS)
NIMS was launched in Sep 2004 by the Newham LSP as a central repository to store map, chart and table data. Alongside the datasets, the corporate Research Unit also provides analysis and interpretation of the information across Newham.
Interactive mapping and charting features allow users to select and view datasets, as well as export to Excel. Users can also build more complex queries. Users can also view data at a variety of geographical levels. Other features include a "Location Finder", showing the nearest service facilities by postcode or map selection.
Website: www.newham.info
Contact: Wendy Chong, 020 8430 6493, Wendy.Chong@newham.gov.uk
Running a Local Data Observatory- ARO
Materials from an event held by the Association of Regional Observatories (ARO) outlining issues to consider in running a local data unit can be found on the ARO website.
