UK Open Government National Action Plan 2016 to 2018: Welsh Government commitments
Our commitment to being an open government is outlined in our contribution to the UK Open Government National Action Plan.
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Introduction
The 3rd UK Open Government National Action Plan was published in May 2016. This plan set out commitments to open government in the UK and the ambitions of the UK Government for the next 2 years.
This updated version of the 3rd Open Government National Action Plan includes new commitments from each of the devolved administrations: the Northern Ireland Executive, the Scottish Government and the Welsh Government. This demonstrates that we are committed to being open and transparent.
We all believe that an open government is a better government:
- more accountable and responsive to people
- receptive to new ideas and better-able to implement them
- best-placed to capitalise on the talents, expertise and energy of citizens, civil society and businesses to create a better, stronger society for all
This plan has been co-created with members of civil society and active citizens, coordinated through our open government networks. We’re committed to continue to work with civil society to both implement and develop commitments in future.
Commitment 1: Open data plan
Develop and implement an open data plan for Welsh Government and work towards achieving the commitments outlined within the plan.
Objective
To develop a plan that outlines Welsh Government’s ongoing commitment to open data and increase awareness of open data across Welsh Government.
Status quo
Within Welsh Government we are already striving to increase the accessibility to our data through websites such as Lle and StatsWales. However there is more that can be done to increase the openness and transparency of our data.
There also needs to be greater awareness of the potential opportunities and benefits that open data can provide to the people of Wales, businesses, the public service sector and Welsh Government. Implementation of our Open Data Plan and its commitments should help address these issues.
Ambition
Whilst work is already ongoing in the field of open data within Welsh Government we hope that implementation of this Open Data Plan will raise awareness, consolidate ongoing work and demonstrate Welsh Government’s commitment to open data. The plan will hopefully also provide a practical opportunity to work with and encourage public service organisations to increase their publication and use of open data.
Leading implementing organisation
Welsh Government
Timeline
March 2016 – March 2018
OGP values
Access to information
New or ongoing commitment
New and ongoing
Other actors involved: government
-
Other actors involved: CSOs, private sector, working groups, multilaterals, etc.
-
| Verifiable and measurable milestones to fulfil the commitment | New or ongoing | Start date | End date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Implement commitments outlined within the Welsh Government Open Data Plan | New and ongoing | March 2016 | March 2018 |
Commitment 2: Open data service
Develop an Open Data Service for Wales with a focus on helping improve public services.
Objective
To increase the openness and amount of data about Wales that is published by Welsh Government and other public sector bodies.
Status quo
Only a subset of data about Wales held by Welsh Government and other public sector partners is currently published.
Ambition
Developing an Open Data Service for Wales will increase the accessibility and the amount of data published by Welsh Government and other public sector bodies in Wales. Furthermore making more data openly available will hopefully help improve public services in Wales.
Leading implementing organisation
Welsh Government
Timeline
March 2016 – March 2017
OGP values
Access to information, Technology and innovation
New or ongoing commitment
Ongoing
Other actors involved: government
Welsh Government initiative publishing data for Wales, some of which may emanate from other government departments.
Other actors involved: CSOs, private sector, working groups, multilaterals, etc.
Users have been involved in the development of the StatsWales site, e.g. providing feedback, and being updated in various user forums. This has included our user group covering the third sector.
We’re working to allow other public sector partners to publish via StatsWales with their own logo. To date only the Welsh Language Commissioner has done so.
| Verifiable and measurable milestones to fulfil the commitment | New or ongoing | Start date | End date |
|---|---|---|---|
| StatsWales data published in machine readable format | Ongoing | June 2016 | Ongoing |
| StatsWales training material on improvements prepared and delivered | New | November 2016 | December 2017 |
| Lle developed to allow users to build their own maps | Ongoing | January 2016 | January 2017 |
| Open data catalogue produced | Ongoing | October 2016 | December 2016 |
Commitment 3: StatsWales
Develop StatsWales, the Welsh Government’s online repository for detailed statistical data, to increase its openness rating to 4*.
Objective
To increase the openness and amount of structured data that is published by Welsh Government and other public sector bodies.
Status quo
Only a subset of data about Wales held by Welsh Government and other public sector partners is currently published. Whilst StatsWales publishes structured data openly there is a need to increase its openness rating.
Ambition
Through this commitment we will improve the openness of data published by Welsh Government, enabling our data to be freely shared and used by others.
Leading implementing organisation
Welsh Government
Timeline
March 2016 – December 2017
OGP values
Access to information, Technology and innovation
New or ongoing commitment
New
Other actors involved: government
Welsh Government initiative publishing data for Wales, some of which may emanate from other government departments.
Other actors involved: CSOs, private sector, working groups, multilaterals, etc.
Users have been involved in the development of the StatsWales site, e.g. providing feedback, and being updated in various user forums. This has included our user group covering the third sector.
We’re working to allow other public sector partners to publish via StatsWales with their own logo. To date only the Welsh Language Commissioner has done so.
| Verifiable and measurable milestones to fulfil the commitment | New or ongoing | Start date | End date |
|---|---|---|---|
| StatsWales data published in machine readable format | Ongoing | June 2016 | Ongoing |
| StatsWales guidance and training videos prepared and published | New | November 2016 | December 2016 |
| Accreditation of StatsWales carried out successfully | New | September 2016 | March 2017 |
| StatsWales training material prepared and delivered | New | November 2016 | December 2017 |
Commitment 4: Administrative Data Research Centre Wales
In partnership with the Administrative Data Research Centre Wales, the Welsh Government will work to ensure that access to government datasets is available in a secure and safe manner for the purposes of academic and public sector research. Furthermore, such access is promoted to maximise the use of such data for research that is published and made available to support better decisions.
Objective
Secure and ethical access to data held by government to accredited academic and public sector researchers in approved safe environments with appropriate controls in place, leading to published research for the public good.
Status quo
To overcome barriers to access to data for academic or public sector research purposes.
Ambition
Through this commitment we will improve the public value of government data by ensuring it is available to use to produce high quality, published, research that will inform public policy and improve the lives of citizens.
Leading implementing organisation
Welsh Government
Timeline
Continuous
OGP values
Access to information
New or ongoing commitment
New
Other actors involved: government
UK Statistics Authority
Other actors involved: CSOs, private sector, working groups, multilaterals, etc.
Administrative Data Research Centre – Wales (academic partnership); ESRC; Administrative Data Research Network Board.
| Verifiable and measurable milestones to fulfil the commitment | New or ongoing | Start date | End date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Publish further research in partnership with the Administrative Data Research Centre-Wales by the end of the financial year | Ongoing | March 2015 | 31/03/17 |
| Increase the number of public sector datasets available for Welsh researchers through the ADRC-W by the end of the financial year | Ongoing | March 2015 | 31/03/17 |
| Pilot techniques for local authorities to supply data for research in the ADRC-W by the end of the financial year | New | September 2016 | 31/03/17 |
Commitment 5: Government Social Research Publication Protocol
Welsh Government will continue to publish government research according to the Government Social Research Publication Protocol, with reports pre-announced and published on the ‘Statistics & Research’ pages of the Welsh Government website. Publication of social research reports, according to the GSR publication protocol, is a key part of the Welsh Government Principles for Research and Evaluation.
Objective
To publish research according to the Government Social Research publication protocol.
Status quo
The Government Social Research publication protocol has been adopted to increase the transparency of evidence used by the Welsh Government.
Ambition
Publication of research puts the evidence Government uses in its decisions in the public domain and also provides research findings useful for other public and third sector bodies to inform their own decision making.
Leading implementing organisation
Welsh Government
Timeline
While the GSR publication protocol has been in use by Welsh Government since its introduction in 2010, there has been ministerial commitment to the use of the protocol from March 2014.
OGP values
Access to information, public accountability
New or ongoing commitment
Ongoing
Other actors involved: government
Welsh Government
Other actors involved: CSOs, private sector, working groups, multilaterals, etc.
-
| Verifiable and measurable milestones to fulfil the commitment | New or ongoing | Start date | End date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Using the GSR publication protocol for all research publications. | Ongoing | March 2010 | Ongoing |
| Ministerial commitment to use of Government Social Research publication protocol. | Ongoing | March 2014 | Ongoing |
Commitment 6: GOV.WALES
We will make our information and services easier to find and consume by consolidating our digital content on a new Welsh Government website that is focussed on meeting user needs. The site will include an improved consultation service.
Objective
Build a new GOV.WALES to improve access to Welsh Government information and services.
Status quo
The Welsh Government publishes information on more than 150 websites. Information is presented inconsistently and is sometimes duplicated. Users do not know whether they have found all Welsh Government information on a particular issue.
Ambition
GOV.WALES will accommodate practically all Welsh Government information and services, making it easier for users to understand what we do and how we are performing. It will provide a clearer picture of the public sector in Wales, increasing accountability by allowing the public to see and access those bodies that are working on their behalf. The new consultations service will provide a better way for the public to participate in our decision-making process.
Leading implementing organisation
Welsh Government
Timeline
1 April 2015 – 30 June 2019
OGP values
Access to information, civic participation, public accountability
New or ongoing commitment
New
Other actors involved: government
-
Other actors involved: CSOs, private sector, working groups, multilaterals, etc.
Welsh citizens are involved in the testing of the website.
| Verifiable and measurable milestones to fulfil the commitment | New or ongoing | Start date | End date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Launch beta consultations service, including response forms that users can save | New | 01/07/16 | 30/09/16 |
| Launch beta campaigns platform | New | 01/10/16 | 30/11/16 |
| Launch beta public bodies platform | New | 01/01/17 | 31/03/17 |
| Publish first tranche of beta corporate content | New | 01/10/16 | 30/04/17 |
| Publish remaining corporate content | New | 01/05/17 | 30/06/19 |
Commitment 7: Code of Practice for Ethical Employment in Supply Chains
Welsh Government will develop a code for ethical supply chain behaviour, that will ensure awareness and understanding of actions to mitigate against ethical supply chain issues.
Objective
To achieve high levels of sign-up to 12 commitments aimed at promoting the legal and ethical treatment of workers.
Status quo
Unethical and illegal treatment of workers in public sector supply chains.
Ambition
One ambition of this piece of work is to raise awareness of the prevalence of modern slavery in our supply chains and take actions to address areas of high risk.
Another ambition is to raise and level the playing field in Wales so that suppliers that wish to employ workers ethically are not disadvantaged in bidding for public contracts.
A 3rd ambition is to encourage the more widespread adoption of the Living Wage Foundation’s Living Wage (based on the costs of living).
Leading implementing organisation
Welsh Government
Timeline
March 2016 – early in 2017
OGP values
Public accountability
New or ongoing commitment
New
Other actors involved: government
Public sector organisations in Wales
Other actors involved: CSOs, private sector, working groups, multilaterals, etc.
Businesses and third sector organisations in Wales.
| Verifiable and measurable milestones to fulfil the commitment | New or ongoing | Start date | End date |
|---|---|---|---|
| First draft completed and introduced at Procurex | New | March 2016 | September 2016 |
| Task and Finish Group established and first meeting set-up | New | October 2016 | November 2016 |
| Engagement with business and third sector | New | October 2016 | Early 2017 |
| Ethical supply chain code launch | New | Early in 2017 | Early in 2017 |
| Sign-up | New | Ongoing | Ongoing |
Commitment 8: Well-being of Future Generations Act – National Indicators for Wales
To measure progress towards the achievement of the seven well-being goals for Wales set out in the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015, and report on them annually.
Objective
In order to improve the social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being of Wales the Welsh Government has developed a set of National Indicators to measure progress against the 7 well-being goals outlined in the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015. In doing so an open and transparent approach is being taken in the development and communication of the National Indicators and the data that underpins them.
Status quo
Measuring national progress against the seven well-being goals for Wales set out in the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015.
Ambition
If we are to collectively achieve the seven well-being goals set out in the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015, we need a way of measuring, at a national level, what progress is being made. The 46 National Indicators for Wales are intended to measure progress against the 7 well-being goals and have been prepared following public consultation. They will be reported on annually through a ‘Well-being Report for Wales’.
Leading implementing organisation
Welsh Government
Timeline
March 2016 – early in 2017
OGP values
Access to information
New or ongoing commitment
New
Other actors involved: government
Specified public bodies under the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015.
Other actors involved: CSOs, private sector, working groups, multilaterals, etc.
Future Generations Commissioner for Wales, Auditor General for Wales.
| Verifiable and measurable milestones to fulfil the commitment | New or ongoing | Start date | End date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lay the ‘National Indicators for Wales’ before the National Assembly for Wales. | Ongoing | April 2015 | March 2016 |
| Produce the first Annual Well-being Report for Wales. | Ongoing | April 2016 | Summer 2017 |
Commitment 9: Well-being duty on specified public bodies in Wales
All public bodies, listed in the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015, have a duty to set and publish well-being objectives that outline how they will contribute to achieving each of the well-being goals and take reasonable steps to meet those objectives.
Objective
Requiring public bodies to do things in pursuit of the economic, social, environmental and cultural well-being of Wales in a way that accords with the sustainable development principle; to require public bodies to report on such action.
Status quo
A more consistent approach across the public sector to decision making affecting the well-being of Wales.
Ambition
It will place a legal duty on specified public bodies to take account of the importance of involving people that reflect the diversity of the population in their decision making.
Leading implementing organisation
Welsh Government
Timeline
April 2016 onwards
OGP values
Civic participation
New or ongoing commitment
New legislative commitment under the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015
Other actors involved: government
The 43 specified public bodies under the Act, and Public Service Boards.
Other actors involved: CSOs, private sector, working groups, multilaterals, etc.
Future Generations Commissioner for Wales, Auditor General for Wales.
| Verifiable and measurable milestones to fulfil the commitment | New or ongoing | Start date | End date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal duty comes into force | New legal commitment | April 2016 | April 2016 |
| Public Bodies publish their first wellbeing objectives. | New | April 2016 | April 2017 |
| Public Service Boards – Assessment of local well-being | New | April 2016 | May 2017 |