Presentation - Research and Intelligence Support for this Committee
Additional documents:
Minutes:
Dr P Welsh, Head of the Research and Information Unit, was in attendance for this item.
(1) Dr Welsh presented a series of slides setting out the work of the unit and how it supported policy and project development. He set out what information was gathered, how it was used, and how it linked to other strategic documents. In particular, the unit used the Mosaic data modelling system. The information was arranged to be as accessible as possible and could be accessed in different ways and at different levels. Other research work carried out by the unit related to population and deprivation, migration patterns, land use and planning and employment land and new homes.
(2) In discussion, and in response to Members’ questions, the following points were highlighted:-
(a) The information used by Mosaic did not include personal data about any individual, so did not give rise to any data privacy problems. Information reflected patterns of community behaviour;
(b) Examples of what Mosaic has been used for include funding formulas in schools, recruitment of foster carers, identifying bus routes and provision of SEN school places;
(c) Borough and District Councils could make much use of the data gathered by Mosaic and avoid duplicating data gathering locally. Mosaic is a commercial product owned by Experion and licensed for use by KCC on a bureau licence which included its use by Borough and District councils. All Members had access to Mosaic;
(d) As the data in Mosaic was complex and could be interpreted in different ways, the unit acted as a bureau to answer questions and guide users on how to interpret the information;
(e) Mosaic data was updated annually and was cross-referenced to provide as accurate a picture as possible. Some data was updated less than annually (e.g. the 10-yearly census);
(f) Data supplied by the unit could be used to indicate areas most in need of jobs funding, and had shown up a disparity in funding between East and West Kent;
(g) the unit received some data automatically (e.g., relating to land use) while other info had to be sought, project by project, to answer a specific need; and
(h) Information now available via Mosaic was based on much broader lifestyle patterns. Previously, socio-economic categories (A1, B2, B3, etc) were based purely on the job a person did.
(3) Dr Welsh undertook to answer Members’ questions and points of detail relating to specific issues outside the meeting.
(4) RESOLVED that the information given in the presentation, and in response to Members’ questions, be noted, with thanks.