Open data

Open data is information held by the government and local councils which is freely available for use and reuse by the public.

The aim is to make all data we hold available online (unless private or sensitive). All of the datasets are available under the Open Government Licence unless stated otherwise. You will see that this licence encourages you to download and reuse our data.

Data transparency - Code of recommended practice for local authorities

The code sets out the key principles for local authorities in creating greater transparency through the publication of public data. A requirement of the code is to publish 'metadata' alongside the dataset, this is to add context to the information so that the reader can fully understand what they are reading. The code sets out a recommended set of data for publication:

To be published quarterly:

• expenditure exceeding £500
• procurement information (contracts and tenders)

To be published annually:

• local authority land
• grants to voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations
• organisation chart
• trade union facility time
• parking
• senior salaries
• constitution
• pay policy
• fraud

Information to be published once only:

Other datasets we hold which are published online:

• business rates data
• councillors' attendance
• electoral turnouts
• Freedom of Information disclosure log
• public health funerals

If you require any further information, please contact the FOI team by emailing foi@eastcambs.gov.uk or calling 01353 665555.