Public Sector Licence
Public sector members can access PAF, Multiple Residence and Not Yet Built data for free at the point of use enabling the delivery of vital public services. Please read through the information below before applying.
Benefits of a Public Sector Licence
Simplifying licensing arrangements
Reduce the administration of licensing and fee payments
Enable sharing data across public sector organisations
About Public Sector Licences
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Key features of the PSL Use Terms
Eligible public sector organisations can use PAF, MR and NYB data throughout their organisation as well as on external websites for displaying or confirming address details. The PSL Use Terms permit data sharing between public sector licensees; will cover sub-contractors and working with third parties, as well as emergency use situations. The PSL Use Terms will not permit profit-making or commercial activity. Any public sector organisation wishing to use PAF, MR and NYB data for commercial purposes must use the standard licence terms for this purpose. Data supply arrangements are not affected by the implementation of the PSL Use Terms.
You can read more about the PSL Use Terms further down this page.
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Who will be eligible to join?
Public sector organisations which fall within the definition of ‘contracting authority’ in Regulation 3 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2006, are likely to be eligible. To assist you in checking your eligibility to sign up, we have included general guidance within the ‘Who can apply?’ section below.
We anticipate thousands of public sector organisations will qualify and therefore have the opportunity to benefit from using the accurate postal address and postcode information held within PAF. Some types of organisations, housing associations, social enterprises, infrastructure bodies, community interest companies, charities and charitable trusts are likely to fall outside of the eligibility criteria.
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How will a public sector organisation be able to apply?
Before completing the application form, organisations should check to see if they are eligible and whether their organisation has already applied. The application process is quick and simple, please familiarise yourself with the PSL Use Terms below before applying.
If you have any questions about eligibility or registration then you can email us through the link below.
Who Can Apply for a PSL?
We have worked with the Geospatial Commission and Scottish Government to define the eligibility criteria. Public sector organisations in England, Scotland and Wales can apply to benefit from the PSL Use Terms. If you are a public sector organisation which falls within the definition of ‘contracting authority’ in Regulation 3 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2006, then it is likely that you are eligible.
We have also reached an agreement with Land & Property Services and the Department of Finance in Northern Ireland that enables eligible participants of the Northern Ireland Mapping Agreement to benefit from the PSL Use Terms. Please note all NIMA enquiries to be sent to: DoF Mapping Helpdesk Mapping.Helpdesk@finance-ni.gov.uk and copied to DoF LPS Copyright copyright@finance-ni.gov.uk
For general guidance, it is intended that the following types of organisations will be eligible to apply for the PSL Use Terms. This list will be regularly reviewed to ensure any changes in public sector structures are taken into account.
If you have any questions about your eligibility, please contact us.
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Central government
A body operating under the directions of an Officer of the House of Commons and reporting directly to Parliament.
A body operating under the directions of the Scottish Parliament Public corporations listed in the Cabinet Office’s ‘Public Bodies Database’
Ministerial departments
Non-ministerial departments
Executive agencies National or regional administrations
Non-departmental public bodies (executive and advisory)
Welsh Assembly Sponsored Public Bodies
Tribunals
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Local government and emergency services
English county, city, district, borough, town, community and parish councils
English unitary (metropolitan, borough, city and district councils)
English unitary London boroughs, Greater London Authority and functional bodies (Transport for London , London Development Agency, London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority and Metropolitan Police Authority)
English unitary authorities
English and metropolitan police authorities
English metropolitan fire and civil defence authorities
English fire authorities and services
English National Park authorities
English town and parish councils
English Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) conservation boards Passenger transport executives
Welsh unitary authorities
Welsh police authorities
Welsh fire authorities
Welsh National Park authorities
Welsh town and community councils
Scottish Local authorities
Scottish community councils Passenger transport executives
Scottish fire service
Scottish police service
Scottish ambulance services
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Health
Any NHS trust Any NHS foundation trust
Any strategic health authority
Any primary care trust Any special health authority
Cancer Registrees
All Regional and Special Health Boards and any other NHS organisation in Scotland
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Search and rescue organisations
Mountain Rescue England and Wales
British Cave Rescue Council
The Association of Lowland Search and Rescue
Royal National Lifeboat Institution
Search and Rescue organisations in Scotland (such as RNLI & Mountain Rescue)
Applying for the PSL Use Terms
All eligible public sector organisations can now take advantage of the PSL Use Terms and benefit from access to PAF®, MR and NYB for free at the point of use. To apply to become licensed, please complete the application form below, ensuring that the information you provide is as accurate as possible. Any missing or incorrect details may delay the completion of the process to confirm your eligibility.
Please check current Public Sector Licence holders to see if your organisation has already applied – if not, we would recommend that you familiarise yourself with the PSL Use Terms before continuing with your application. The PSL Use Terms govern your use of PAF, MR and NYB data. Please note: the PSL Use Terms do not cover any use of PAF, MR and NYB data for any commercial activity. If your organisation wishes to use our data for commercial purposes then it should license this use on the standard Licence terms. We will email you to inform you if your application has been successful. Successful applicants will be licensed to access our data under the PSL Use Terms. Unless you tell us otherwise we will use your email as the primary method for contacting you.
Before you apply:
- You’ve checked that your organisation meets the eligibility criteria
- You’ve checked that your organisation has not applied already
- You’ve read through the PSL Use Terms
- You’ve checked that you are not a public sector organisation which doesn’t meet all eligibility criteria
- You’ve checked that you are not a public sector organisation who intends to use PAF, MR or NYB for commercial purposes
Apply now for a Public Sector Licence
Data Support for the Public Sector
Eligible public sector organisations can access PAF, Multiple Residence and Not Yet Built data for free at the point of use enabling the delivery of vital public services.
