Set up by Hertfordshire Prosperity as a partnership tool in 2001, the Hertfordshire Observatory allows you to analyse data about the county, giving you a comprehensive and accurate picture of what’s happening in Hertfordshire. The Observatory includes key facts and figures on:

• economic development

• community safety strategies

• community plans

• area profiles and much more.

It can help you to formulate policy, target resources, carry out research or put together a funding bid.

Why use it?

With ever-more pressure on organisations to work together in partnership – pooling knowledge and resources wherever possible, avoiding duplication and in the case of the public sector, of delivering better value for money - the Observatory is an essential resource.

How can you use it?

The Observatory is more than just a data warehouse. You can also:

• Download data to carry out your own analyses;

• Use powerful on-line mapping facilities interpret data graphically;

• Set up virtual discussion groups to share information and ideas with partners using the Observatory’s secure extranet facility.

Want to find out more?

If you want to find out more about the Observatory and how you and yourorganisation can get involved with it, please contact Ian Anker, the Hertfordshire Observatory Project Manager,

on 01992588454. Alternatively,

you can e-mail ian.anker@hertscc.gov.uk.

A monthly updatee-mail is available detailing developments to the site.

To receive your copy,

e-mail hertsobservatory@hertscc.gov.uk.

What’s happening in 2006?

On its new home as part of the Herts Link county portal, users will experience the following benefits:

• All data and resources are freely available removing the need for usernames and passwords.

• An easily navigable structure, built using a set of standard subject headings.

• A new secure extranet area to enable partnership working on multiorganisational projects in the county.

Coming later this year:

• The Multi-agency Information Data Access System (MIDAS). This crime reduction tool is a collaboration between county, districts and the police.

• The new Local Economy Assessment (LEA). Commissioned from external experts, the new LEA will give a detailed picture on Hertfordshire’s economic performance and prospects.

• New mapping capabilities will give you access to map data quickly and easily.

The above information was provided by

Ian Anker
Project Manager
The Hertfordshire Observatory
Commercial Services and Information, Hertfordshire County Council
2nd Floor, North East Block, County Hall, Hertford SG13 8DE
Tel: 01992 588454 (x28454) Fax: 01992 588499 (x28499)
e-mail: ian.anker@hertscc.gov.uk visit: http://www.hertslink.org/hertsobservatory