January 11th, 2010 - Today sees the launch of Parish Online a new and affordable web based service designed to help Parish and Local Councils conduct their business more effectively. Parish Online provides access to Ordnance Survey digital 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. They can even be displayed on a website.  All that is required is a computer with a broadband connection.

Parish and Local Councils benefit from a nationally negotiated agreement with Local Authorities which enables access to Ordnance Survey Mapping and the National Land and Property Gazetteer. Aerial Photography is supplied by Parish Online partner Getmapping Plc. The problem for Parish Councils is that they do not have easy access to these resources and no simple way to use them effectively. This is the raison d’être of Parish Online.

Parish Online is delivered through a web browser, all that is needed is a computer with a broadband connection; there is no software to load. Its simple to use tools enable users to mark routes, highlight temporary parking, 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 for example to plot the precise location of dog waste bins, bus shelters, benches, play areas, war memorials and 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 latest maps and photography are maintained centrally on Getmapping servers so users always know they are using the latest version.

“We have signed up and paid for the subscriptions of all 49 parishes in our region for the first year simply because this is the easiest, most cost-effective way of providing them with access to mapping,” said Martin Laker, the Authority Liaison Officer for Bath and North East Somerset Council. “What’s more Parish Online provides access to aerial photography and the National Land and Property Gazetteer. It also has some very handy and easy to use tools that will soon make it indispensable,” continued Laker.