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South West Observatory

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Abbreviation
  
SWO

Location
  
Taunton, Somerset, UK

Formation
  
2002

Region served
  
South West (England)

Legal status
  
Regional Data and Intelligence Resource - Core Unit Company Ltd by Guarantee

Purpose
  
To provide data and analysis for decision makers

The South West Observatory (SWO) is a regional resource for the South West of England, originally established by the former South West Regional Development Agency, Government Office for the South West, and the South West Regional Assembly (now South West Councils) as a partnership for use by policy-makers to aid and improve evidence-based decision-making.

Contents

The South West Observatory is one of seven Regional Observatories operating in the English regions. Not all Observatories operate in the same way and are at different stages of development.

Structure and funding

The SWO is a network of analysts working together at the regional and sub-regional levels to provide timely and accurate information about the region. The SWO network comprises "Thematic Modules" which cover various cross-cutting policy themes and "Local Intelligence Networks" (LINs) which focus on specific geographies. The SWO's structure differs from that of other Regional Observatories. At the centre of the South West Observatory is a Core Unit which coordinates and facilitates network activity. This is based in Taunton, Somerset. The SWO works with a broad range of regional and national partners on many issues.

  • Modules - There are currently six modules working within the SWO. The modules cover Economy, Environment, Planning, Public Health, Skills and Learning (in association with the Marchmont Observatory) and Culture. The structure of the individual modules differs, as do their sources of funding.
  • Local Intelligence Networks - There are currently nine Local Intelligence Networks (LINs) involved in SWO activities. They are based within the local authorities covering Cornwall, Plymouth, Devon, Torbay, Dorset, Somerset, West of England (Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset), Gloucestershire and Wiltshire.

    • The SWO also works within a wider network of regional agencies, government departments and academics. This includes the Office for National Statistics (ONS) Regional Presence.

    Key publications

    Every year the SWO produces a report entitled Changing State of the South West. Published online annually and as a hard copy every three years, this report details the facts and figures behind life in the South West. As of mid-2012, the latest edition was published in March 2012.

    References

    South West Observatory Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA