What is Open Data?

What is open data?

Open data is data that anyone can access, use and share.

Open data has to have a licence that says it is open data.

What is good open data?

• data that can be linked to, so that it can be easily shared and talked about 
• is available in a standard, structured format, so that it can be easily processed 
• has guaranteed availability and consistency over time, so that others can rely on it 
• is traceable, through any processing, right back to where it originates, so others can work out whether to trust it

Publishing Open Data

Bradford Council is committed to improving the data we publish in the public interest. To do this we will promote openness and transparency by publishing increasing amounts of our data. The Local Government Transparency Code is issued by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Planning and Land Act (1980) to issue a Code of Recommended Practice as to the publication of information by local authorities about the discharge of their functions and other matters which he considers to be related.

Local Government Transparency Code 2015

The Local Government Transparency Code 2015 is issued to meet the Government’s desire to place more power into citizens’ hands to increase democratic accountability and make it easier for local people to contribute to the local decision making process and help shape public services. Transparency is the foundation of local accountability and the key that gives people the tools and information they need to enable them to play a bigger role in society. The availability of data can also open new markets for local business, the voluntary and community sectors and social enterprises to run services or manage public assets. Bradford Council are committed to the adherence of this Code

Data Protection

Publishing increased amounts of data will not mean we do not adhere to the Data Protection Act 1998 (DPA). We will only publish data that does not contain personal data or where personal data has been removed. Where we disclose information that engages with the Data Protection Act 1998, we will ensure that we remain DPA compliant.

Timeliness and errors

Our aim is that data should be as accurate as possible when it is published. While errors do occur, we will not unduly delay the publication of data to rectify mistakes. However if you do notice any errors in the information we publish, let us know and we will tell you how this will be addressed.

Data to be published

We will publish on a quarterly basis the following information:

• Expenditure exceeding £500 
• Government Procurement Card transactions 
• Procurement information

We will publish on an annual basis the following information:

• Local Authority Land 
• Grants to voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations 
• Organisation chart 
• Trade Union facility time
• Parking account
• Parking spaces
• Senior salaries 
• Constitution 
• Pay multiple 
• Fraud

We will publish as a one-off publication the following information:

• Waste contracts

How we will publish data

We will publish our data in a format and under a licence that allows open re-use and in a machine readable format, in order to maximise value to the public.