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The Advisory Panel on Public Sector Information (APPSI) has published its annual report for 2008-09.

The report sets out:

• the advice that the Panel gave to Michael Wills, Minister of State for Justice, in 2008; and its recommendations to official consultations that are central to the re-use of public sector information (PSI) agenda. This includes:
  • the response to the Cambridge Study Report, ‘Models of public sector information provision via trading funds’
  • the response to the European Commission’s Review of the EC Directive 2003/98
  • the response to the Power of Information Report
• the key issues emerging from policy developments which the Panel has discussed and debated at its meetings and annual seminar
• the work undertaken by specific members of the Panel in reviewing APPSI’s complaints review function
• the Panel’s role in spreading knowledge and awareness of the value of PSI
• the Panel’s plans for 2009-2010 to help progress the PSI agenda
• the costs of operating the Panel during the financial year 2008-09.

Chair of APPSI, Professor David Rhind CBE, said:

‘In the last few months it has become increasingly clear to everyone that government’s information assets have huge potential value to business and the citizen alike. APPSI comprises experts drawn from across business, government, academia and elsewhere. They give their time and expertise freely to advise ministers and the Director of the Office for Public Sector Information on the re-use of these assets. It is a privilege to work with such colleagues and be at the heart of an issue which touches everyone.’

Justice Minister, Michael Wills, said:

‘The experts that make up APPSI understand that information is core to everything we do. In the past year I have welcomed the Panel’s creative and innovative solutions to the challenges facing government in opening up and enabling greater re-use of public sector information helping boost the economy and deliver better public services.’

Notes for editors

1. The 2008-09 Annual Report of the Advisory Panel on Public Sector Information was published today, 27 July 2009. Copies can be obtained via the APPSI website; by writing to the APPSI Secretariat, Grazia Zaffuto, The National Archives, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 4DU, by email or phoning 0208 392 5330 ext: 2252.

2. APPSI is a non-departmental public body which advises ministers about opportunities for greater re-use of public sector information. APPSI advises the Director of the Office of Public Sector Information (part of The National Archives) about changes and opportunities in the information industry. APPSI reviews and considers complaints arising under the Re-use of Public Sector Information Regulations 2005 and advises on the impact of the complaints procedures under those Regulations. More information on the Advisory Panel on Public Sector Information.