100 Parish Councils Sign Up to Parish Online

23 July 2010, 9:26am

Since its launch in January 2010 the Parish Online, affordable web mapping service, has attracted over 100 Parish Councils as subscribers. Today sees a significant upgrade with many features based on user comments and requests plus the addition of historic maps and aerial photography. Other enhancements include, new icons, symbols and line types, the ability to fade or switch off map layers and the introduction of a full GB location, postcode and street gazetteer. Detailed information from the parent Local Authority can also be added and there has already been considerable interest in this feature from a number of District and Unitary authorities.

Parish Online is designed to help Parish and Local Councils conduct their business more effectively by providing access to Ordnance Survey maps, Getmapping aerial photography and the National Land and Property Gazetteer, the nation’s address database. As easy to use as Google Maps, Parish Online provides much more detailed mapping and some easy to use tools that enable the maps to be annotated, marked up, saved and printed.

Parish Online is delivered through a web browser using a computer with a broadband connection; there is no software to load. Its simple to use tools and libraries enable users to mark routes, highlight temporary parking, pinpoint a broken streetlamp, designate an area for a new allotment and much more. Some of the mark up tools have been designed specifically for Parish Councils so it is easy, using the built in icon library for example, to plot the precise location of dog waste bins, bus shelters, benches, play areas, notice boards, incidents of fly tipping, litter and vandalism. All the data is stored on Getmapping’s secure and robust servers.

Parish Online is purchased by an annual subscription. Many Local Authorities will be able to make a valid and cost-effective case to pay for the service on behalf of their Parish Councils because it relieves them of their otherwise onerous responsibility to provide access to maps. The maps and photography are maintained centrally on Getmapping’s servers so users always know they are using the latest version.

“We are delighted by the response to Parish Online, said Ian Rudd Managing Director of Spatial Technology. “The latest version is available immediately and includes many enhancements suggested by our enthusiastic user base. It will be the users that take the service forward in the future. We have added more data in the form of historic maps and aerial photography and made it easier to use so we are expecting our user base to grow substantially during the second half of 2010,” continued Rudd.

Getmapping Plc