Stockport and Tameside have become the latest councils to join a data-sharing scheme designed to help authorities engage local people and improve services.
The Greater Manchester data synchronisation programme now covers five local authority areas with a combined reach of 1.5 million residents.
The first phase of the programme was launched last year by Manchester, Salford and Trafford councils along with innovation agency Future Everything, support initiative Connected Digital Economy and the centre of excellence, Future Cities Catapult.
‘Manchester's local authorities have been quick to grasp the potential for open data to improve services, to create meaningful citizen engagement and to drive innovation,’ said Drew Hemment, founder and chief executive of Future Everything.
‘Our first Coding Challenge saw ideas for improving recycling and fitness. Next we’re turning our attention to fire and rescue incidents. At the same time we’re ensuring a sustainable legacy from the project by embedding knowledge with our partners.’
Peter Reynolds, executive director of innovation at Future Cities Catapult said: ‘By working closely together, both the councils and the city’s data community are working to understand the opportunity and value of unlocking their data.
‘Greater Manchester is leading the way by investing so richly in open data across local authorities. If done right, phase two of the project will mean not just a better quality of life for the people of Manchester but also a scalable open data model for any city to unlock new products and services.’
