37,049 research outputs found
Third-party copyright and public information infrastructure/registries: How much copyright tax must the public pay?
In a case currently before the High Court of Australia (Copyright Agency Limited (CAL) v NSW ) the fundamental question at issue is whether the owner (in this case surveyors) of copyright material (in this case land survey plans) that is submitted as part of a public register (in this case the land titles registry) with all the benefits that entails, should nonetheless have the right to charge the government and end users every time they reproduce or communicate that material to the public. This book chapter examines the merits of this claim
Public sector information and re-use – where is the UK now?
Information produced by government does of course serve a number of purposes. First it should inform government so as to generate sound policy decisions and effective strategies. Second, through a variety of media, it should provide the general public with information to enable individuals to engage with government services and to deliver personal data that they are obliged to provide. Access to a wide variety of public sector information (PSI) is also important to enable individuals to manage their lives, operate their businesses or help make political decisions about which party to support at an election. But in the midst of such uses is the asset itself i.e. PSI and the policy for its creation, storage, management, exploitation and distribution. As a national resource one issue is whether it is a commodity to be shared freely or, in those circumstances where income can be derived from it, a product to be licensed and sold to offset public sector costs? In the UK this has been under debate for many years through analysis of Crown copyright regulation. Current policy, as interpreted by HM Treasury, continues to argue that those wishing to exploit or add value to PSI for commercial purposes should at least contribute something to the cost of its supply. Joint ventures with the private sector have also been entered into for the preparation and distribution of some PSI where the private sector service provider is permitted to recoup subscriptions in return for the investment. Until recently this has been a relatively sterile debate lacking data to fuel the arguments. That has changed as a result of recent investigations which this paper now explores. At issue is whether present policy is vindicated or alternatively whether pressure is growing for further modernisation of conventional approaches? This paper traces the process of development of the policy through to the present
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Networks of influence and educational aspiration in a deprived UK community
The legal framework for offshore wind farms: A critical analysis of the consents process
The impact of the legal framework for the consents process on the rate of
development of offshore wind farms in England, and the achievement of targets
for renewable electricity generation have been reviewed. From the literature and
consulted stakeholders it was found that the complexity of the current consents
process has adversely affected the rate of development and the achievement of
renewable energy targets. Future projects will be subject to a different legal
framework for consents, under the Planning Act 2008 and the Marine and Coastal
Access Bill. From a comparison of process diagrams for the current and future
consents processes, it is concluded that the future process should be an
improvement. However, uncertainties remain about the detailed procedures and
operation of the future consenting authorities. The capacity and capability of
key stakeholders to meet their obligations have implications for the time frame
for the processes of applying for, and the granting of, consents. Furthermore
improved engagement from developers and clarity about the role of local
authorities are essential if progress is to be made. The need for a holistic and
strategic view of the industry, including associated development of the supply
chain and the transmission grid, is also highlighted. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All
rights reserved
Lessons from Iraq and Chilcot
The UK’s Chilcot Report into the 2003 invasion of Iraq, has some essential lessons for
all Ministries of Defence to take on board when it comes to ensuring troops have the
equipment and support they need, before the next major military operation starts
Social, citizenship, social policy and refugee integration: a case of policy divergence in Scotland
The relationship between Holyrood and Westminster is an evolving one where there is some evidence of policy divergence. Underpinning policy approaches are different views of social citizenship, with the Holyrood approach maintaining elements of the post-1945 welfare settlement. The place of refugees and asylum seekers within these differing approaches is currently underexplored. This article looks at the Scottish and UK Governments’ views of social rights and how they apply to asylum seekers and refugees. It suggests that despite refugee ‘policy’ being at least partly reserved, the Scottish Government has been able to take a different approach from that of Westminster, an approach underpinned by these differing welfare outlooks
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East Midlands regional economic strategy 'creating a flourishing region together' - consultation document 2005.
This consultation document supports the development of the RES: A flourishing Region published in 2006
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