Comments for Observations http://wmro.wordpress.com Insight, commentary and pointers to data and intelligence about the West Midlands region Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:06:08 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 Comment on Environment and economy: Fit for the Future? by Kate Cooper http://wmro.wordpress.com/2009/10/22/environment-and-economy-fit-for-the-future/#comment-1079 Kate Cooper Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:06:08 +0000 http://wmro.wordpress.com/?p=4171#comment-1079 My last three Birmingham Post blogs have been about alternative, low-cost convivial ways of regeneration, including food supply to us. See: http://blogs.birminghampost.net/lifestyle/kate_cooper/ I recently drove past Longbridge, with its desolate areas not-being developed by St Modwens (see their 9/11 press release re the MG Rover Report; "no, miss, honest, miss, it wasn't us, miss" - http://www.stmodwen.co.uk/ ) . . . What's needed is brave decision-making by our politicians. How can we "empower" them (how I loathe that word!) to be brave? My last three Birmingham Post blogs have been about alternative, low-cost convivial ways of regeneration, including food supply to us. See: http://blogs.birminghampost.net/lifestyle/kate_cooper/

I recently drove past Longbridge, with its desolate areas not-being developed by St Modwens (see their 9/11 press release re the MG Rover Report; “no, miss, honest, miss, it wasn’t us, miss” – http://www.stmodwen.co.uk/ ) . . .

What’s needed is brave decision-making by our politicians. How can we “empower” them (how I loathe that word!) to be brave?

]]> Comment on Innovating out of recession workshop summary by Gavin Wray http://wmro.wordpress.com/2009/10/26/innovating-out-of-recession-workshop-summary/#comment-1077 Gavin Wray Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:02:35 +0000 http://wmro.wordpress.com/?p=4246#comment-1077 On a similar note to the end discussion at the workshop, there's an interesting post by NESTA's Roland Harwood summarising eight simple ways to *not* succeed at open innovation: http://blogs.nesta.org.uk/connect/2009/11/8-simple-ways-not-to-succeed-at-open-innovation.html On a similar note to the end discussion at the workshop, there’s an interesting post by NESTA’s Roland Harwood summarising eight simple ways to *not* succeed at open innovation:

http://blogs.nesta.org.uk/connect/2009/11/8-simple-ways-not-to-succeed-at-open-innovation.html

]]> Comment on Volunteer work in the recession – a lost opportunity? by D'log :: blogging since 2000 » Volunteering in the recession http://wmro.wordpress.com/2009/11/04/volunteer-work-in-the-recession-a-lost-opportunity/#comment-1074 D'log :: blogging since 2000 » Volunteering in the recession Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:55:08 +0000 http://wmro.wordpress.com/?p=4285#comment-1074 [...] interesting WMRO posting on volunteering rates in the West Midlands during the recession… “New Citizenship Survey data published last week by CLG show volunteering levels have [...] [...] interesting WMRO posting on volunteering rates in the West Midlands during the recession… “New Citizenship Survey data published last week by CLG show volunteering levels have [...]

]]> Comment on Roundup of Census 2011 outputs event in Leicester by Diane Edwards http://wmro.wordpress.com/2009/11/02/roundup-of-census-2011-outputs-event-in-leicester/#comment-1073 Diane Edwards Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:05:07 +0000 http://wmro.wordpress.com/?p=4270#comment-1073 Naomi, Hi I attended the meeting in Leicester too. Just to add some additional information to your report. It was one of a series of seminars which marked the begining of consultation by ONS Census on the Outputs they are considering supplying for the 2011 Census ahead of a wider user Output Consultation. The biggest change they are working on is to provide data through dynamic tables (datacubes) and they are testing the implication of this to the potential disclosure of individuals. This may mean they have to do some more data swapping they have done in the past but we should be assured it will be done more intelligently than they did in the past. I don't think they were suggesting NOMIS and Neighbourhood Statistics would be the the home of the census data but merely examples of the web sites that currently have portals to extract data from the census.They are hoping many more web portals will be able to extract census data direct from source in the future. If dynamic tables are provided there will also need to be controls over 'drill-down' so whilst providing detail for smaller areas for example there would need to be some aggregation of other categories and they want to explore what will be most useful to users. Whilst ONS has secured funding to run the census and process the data up to 2013 they have no money on the table after then. The period beyond 2013 is historically where most of the output and value added work takes place hence the call for support from users in developing their business case. LSOA boundaries MAY need to change if there has been a major increase(or decrease)in populaiton size AFTER the census but this will be restricted to splitting of individual LSOAs NOT a reshuffle of many boundaries as tended to happen in the past. Additionally ONS are providing the opportunity for organisations to nominate OAs/LSOAs for realignment where there are compelling reasons for this e.g. residential areas in LSOAs divided by rivers that have no means of contact across the river. Both the above would have to happen within the suggested 0.4% change. Part of Birmingham is involved in the census rehersal but only to test field management structures. The rehearsal will test Royal Mail's contingency plans if postal strikes continue over next 6 weeks. Diane Naomi,
Hi I attended the meeting in Leicester too. Just to add some additional information to your report. It was one of a series of seminars which marked the begining of consultation by ONS Census on the Outputs they are considering supplying for the 2011 Census ahead of a wider user Output Consultation.

The biggest change they are working on is to provide data through dynamic tables (datacubes) and they are testing the implication of this to the potential disclosure of individuals. This may mean they have to do some more data swapping they have done in the past but we should be assured it will be done more intelligently than they did in the past. I don’t think they were suggesting NOMIS and Neighbourhood Statistics would be the the home of the census data but merely examples of the web sites that currently have portals to extract data from the census.They are hoping many more web portals will be able to extract census data direct from source in the future. If dynamic tables are provided there will also need to be controls over ‘drill-down’ so whilst providing detail for smaller areas for example there would need to be some aggregation of other categories and they want to explore what will be most useful to users.

Whilst ONS has secured funding to run the census and process the data up to 2013 they have no money on the table after then. The period beyond 2013 is historically where most of the output and value added work takes place hence the call for support from users in developing their business case.

LSOA boundaries MAY need to change if there has been a major increase(or decrease)in populaiton size AFTER the census but this will be restricted to splitting of individual LSOAs NOT a reshuffle of many boundaries as tended to happen in the past.

Additionally ONS are providing the opportunity for organisations to nominate OAs/LSOAs for realignment where there are compelling reasons for this e.g. residential areas in LSOAs divided by rivers that have no means of contact across the river.

Both the above would have to happen within the suggested 0.4% change.

Part of Birmingham is involved in the census rehersal but only to test field management structures. The rehearsal will test Royal Mail’s contingency plans if postal strikes continue over next 6 weeks.

Diane

]]> Comment on Engaging communities in the new economy – Observatory conference debate by Helena Duignan http://wmro.wordpress.com/2009/10/23/engaging-communities-in-the-new-economy-a-wmro-conference-debate/#comment-1069 Helena Duignan Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:08:43 +0000 http://wmro.wordpress.com/?p=4233#comment-1069 New <a href="http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/corporate/statistics/citizenshipsurveyq1200910" rel="nofollow">Citizenship Survey data</a> published yesterday by CLG show Volunteering levels have remained almost static over the past year in England. Levels of formal volunteering at least once a month are unchanged since 2001. This lack of increase in volunteering despite the rising levels of unemployment confirms what many in the voluntary and community sector have been saying about the lack of funding and capacity to meet increased demand for volunteering opportunities. In the West Midlands however there seem to have been increases. This is a quarterly data release so the sample size for the region is relatively small and we would advise caution in using the quarterly regional data. New Citizenship Survey data published yesterday by CLG show Volunteering levels have remained almost static over the past year in England. Levels of formal volunteering at least once a month are unchanged since 2001. This lack of increase in volunteering despite the rising levels of unemployment confirms what many in the voluntary and community sector have been saying about the lack of funding and capacity to meet increased demand for volunteering opportunities.

In the West Midlands however there seem to have been increases. This is a quarterly data release so the sample size for the region is relatively small and we would advise caution in using the quarterly regional data.

]]> Comment on West Midlands ‘output gap’ has risen to £15bn by Oliver Nicholls http://wmro.wordpress.com/2009/10/28/west-midlands-output-gap-has-risen-to-15bn/#comment-1066 Oliver Nicholls Thu, 29 Oct 2009 09:47:46 +0000 http://wmro.wordpress.com/?p=4258#comment-1066 Covered in today's Birmingham Post on front page and pages 2, 16 and 17. Read online: http://tinyurl.com/yh6ctap http://tinyurl.com/yfqh8v2 Covered in today’s Birmingham Post on front page and pages 2, 16 and 17. Read online:
http://tinyurl.com/yh6ctap
http://tinyurl.com/yfqh8v2

]]> Comment on Environment and economy: Fit for the Future? by Oliver Nicholls http://wmro.wordpress.com/2009/10/22/environment-and-economy-fit-for-the-future/#comment-1065 Oliver Nicholls Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:35:42 +0000 http://wmro.wordpress.com/?p=4171#comment-1065 Feedback from Extelliegence's Kate Cooper on the Birmingham Post site: http://blogs.birminghampost.net/lifestyle/2009/10/food-from-not-to-dale-end.html Feedback from Extelliegence’s Kate Cooper on the Birmingham Post site:

http://blogs.birminghampost.net/lifestyle/2009/10/food-from-not-to-dale-end.html

]]> Comment on Environment and economy: Fit for the Future? by Susana Flores http://wmro.wordpress.com/2009/10/22/environment-and-economy-fit-for-the-future/#comment-1062 Susana Flores Tue, 27 Oct 2009 09:11:02 +0000 http://wmro.wordpress.com/?p=4171#comment-1062 Amanda Pearce from Natural England also highlighted the document "No Charge? Valuing the Natural Environment" published recently. “No Charge? Valuing the Natural Environment”, pulls together leading research to show that the economic value of nature now runs to billions of pounds in the UK alone and that there are major savings to be made through looking after it. This document is available through Natural England's website: http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/about_us/news/2009/151009.aspx Amanda Pearce from Natural England also highlighted the document “No Charge? Valuing the Natural Environment” published recently.

“No Charge? Valuing the Natural Environment”, pulls together leading research to show that the economic value of nature now runs to billions of pounds in the UK alone and that there are major savings to be made through looking after it.

This document is available through Natural England’s website: http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/about_us/news/2009/151009.aspx

]]> Comment on Future proofing rural communities in Warwickshire by Bedanga Bordoloi http://wmro.wordpress.com/2009/08/27/future-proofing-rural-communities-in-warwickshire/#comment-1058 Bedanga Bordoloi Sun, 25 Oct 2009 06:23:29 +0000 http://wmro.wordpress.com/?p=3560#comment-1058 If we look at the above differences between urban and rural areas in Indian prespectives,the mere fact that 57% of rural population is not having assess to electricity .Furthermore even the current rapid growth of the per capita motrorized demand and electricity demand increase is not Expected to Take India to Current Developed wold Levels Even by 2031. If we look at the above differences between urban and rural areas in Indian prespectives,the mere fact that 57% of rural population is not having assess to electricity .Furthermore even the current rapid growth of the per capita motrorized demand and electricity demand increase is not Expected to Take
India to Current Developed wold
Levels Even by 2031.

]]> Comment on Environment and economy: Fit for the Future? by Naomi Winchurch http://wmro.wordpress.com/2009/10/22/environment-and-economy-fit-for-the-future/#comment-1053 Naomi Winchurch Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:33:18 +0000 http://wmro.wordpress.com/?p=4171#comment-1053 Delegates also discussed DEFRA's guide on valuing ecosystem services at the workshop, which is available here: http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/policy/natural-environ/documents/eco-valuing.pdf Delegates also discussed DEFRA’s guide on valuing ecosystem services at the workshop, which is available here:

http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/policy/natural-environ/documents/eco-valuing.pdf

]]> Comment on Roundup from Sharing Information Digitally event by Oliver Nicholls http://wmro.wordpress.com/2009/10/08/roundup-from-sharing-information-digitally-event/#comment-1047 Oliver Nicholls Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:36:29 +0000 http://wmro.wordpress.com/?p=3995#comment-1047 Michael Cross (one of the speakers at the event) has published an article about Stuart Harrison (one of the other speakers) on the Guardian website, showcasing Lichfield DC’s approach to information. Read it here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/oct/21/free-data-local-government-lichfield Michael Cross (one of the speakers at the event) has published an article about Stuart Harrison (one of the other speakers) on the Guardian website, showcasing Lichfield DC’s approach to information. Read it here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/oct/21/free-data-local-government-lichfield

]]> Comment on Feedback on Sharing Information Digitally event by Oliver Nicholls http://wmro.wordpress.com/2009/10/14/feedback-on-sharing-information-digitally-event/#comment-1045 Oliver Nicholls Wed, 21 Oct 2009 21:22:11 +0000 http://wmro.wordpress.com/?p=4049#comment-1045 Michael Cross (one of the speakers at the event) has published an article about Stuart Harrison (one of the other speakers) on the Guardian website, showcasing Lichfield DC's approach to information. Read it here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/oct/21/free-data-local-government-lichfield Michael Cross (one of the speakers at the event) has published an article about Stuart Harrison (one of the other speakers) on the Guardian website, showcasing Lichfield DC’s approach to information. Read it here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/oct/21/free-data-local-government-lichfield

]]> Comment on Birmingham is ‘best performing city’ by Russell Hornsey http://wmro.wordpress.com/2009/10/08/birmingham-is-best-performing-city/#comment-1034 Russell Hornsey Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:10:40 +0000 http://wmro.wordpress.com/?p=3983#comment-1034 Thanks for your comment Pete but i can't say i agree with your first comment regarding liberal social attitudes (even if you could measure such a subjective parameter). Birmingham and Manchester are cut from the same cloth in welcoming migrants and immigrants to work in their burgeoning manufacturing industries from the industrial revolution to the modern day and also the esteem placed upon such industrialists in our two cities. It could be argued that Birmingham has not punched its weight of late and Manchester does indeed outperform Birmingham in many ways but this report highlights the economic benefits business climate available in Birmingham and other cities that businesses are looking for so perhaps, as you say, Manchester may have some advantages, but Birmingham is at least moving in the right direction in seeking to attract investment. Thanks for your comment Pete but i can’t say i agree with your first comment regarding liberal social attitudes (even if you could measure such a subjective parameter). Birmingham and Manchester are cut from the same cloth in welcoming migrants and immigrants to work in their burgeoning manufacturing industries from the industrial revolution to the modern day and also the esteem placed upon such industrialists in our two cities.
It could be argued that Birmingham has not punched its weight of late and Manchester does indeed outperform Birmingham in many ways but this report highlights the economic benefits business climate available in Birmingham and other cities that businesses are looking for so perhaps, as you say, Manchester may have some advantages, but Birmingham is at least moving in the right direction in seeking to attract investment.

]]> Comment on Birmingham is ‘best performing city’ by Pete Sanders http://wmro.wordpress.com/2009/10/08/birmingham-is-best-performing-city/#comment-1033 Pete Sanders Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:00:18 +0000 http://wmro.wordpress.com/?p=3983#comment-1033 Fair enough, but Brum does not outperform Manchester in many other important ways - such as liberal social attitudes, in proportion about 3 times as many available jobs; etc. Fair enough, but Brum does not outperform Manchester in many other important ways – such as liberal social attitudes, in proportion about 3 times as many available jobs; etc.

]]> Comment on Observatory hosting event on sharing information digitally by Why I Share Stuff - jon bounds http://wmro.wordpress.com/2009/08/19/observatory-hosting-event-on-sharing-information-digitally/#comment-1023 Why I Share Stuff - jon bounds Wed, 07 Oct 2009 15:17:54 +0000 http://wmro.wordpress.com/?p=3510#comment-1023 [...] tools? Well, here’s a lovingly extended metaphor I wrote for a talk Stu Parker gave at the WMRO Conference today: Learning to use technology is like learning to drive — the rules, the highway code, being safe [...] [...] tools? Well, here’s a lovingly extended metaphor I wrote for a talk Stu Parker gave at the WMRO Conference today: Learning to use technology is like learning to drive — the rules, the highway code, being safe [...]

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