ADD2328 Techmap and MedCity Map Server cost renewal

Techmap.London and Medcitymap.com were launched in July 2015 and have since seen steady visitor growth.

Trampoline Systems were awarded a contract for the provision of the services in question, without competition, an exemption from the requirement of the GLA’s Contracts and Funding Code to procure such services competitively under cover of DD1357. The basis of the exemption was that Trampoline Systems were the exclusive owner of the intellectual property rights the use of which was necessary for the techmap to function. This remains the case.

In order to host the maps, the GLA is required to fund the server costs of £11,000 per year.

The expenditure sought relates to Trampoline Systems hosting of the map in 2017/18 and a separate approval regarding the current 2018/19 hosting is being sought under cover of a separate decision form.

Officers are speaking to, the LEAP, London & Partners and private sector organisations about the potential to update and reinvigorate the map. A separate decision document will be submitted in the instance of any material change.

The payment of server costs will enable the techmap.london and medcitymap.com to be hosted with up to date information on London’s technology and life sciences sectors, including employee numbers and turnover.

The tool helps stakeholders to understand where London’s business strengths lie, where clusters are emerging as well as to track the continued rapid growth of London’s science and technology sectors.

The impact of the website will be tracked through visitor numbers.

Officers are seeking external investment (via LEAP, London & Partners and external stakeholders) for the map to enable ongoing hosting and improved functionality.

Under Section 149 of the Equality Act 2010, as a public authority, the Mayor of London must have ‘due Regard’ of the need to eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation as well as to advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations between people who have a protected characteristic and those who do not.

Officers confirm there are no adverse implications under the public sector equality duty in relation to activities mentioned above. Both the tech and life sciences sector suffer from underrepresentation of women, BAME and disabled people. The GLA will encourage wide dissemination across relevant networks in order to enable use across all communities.

The key risk to the project is that the resource is underutilised. Officers are currently considering options for next steps. Officers will ensure that any renewal of the server fee is delivered hand in hand with a plan of how we can increase the number of visitors to the site, as well as seeking external investment to allow for greater usability. This will be part of a separate decision.

The annual cost of £11,000 for this initiative will be funded from the DEE Minor Programme budget for 2018-19. Going forward beyond 2018-19, the GLA are to seek external investment via LEAP, London & Partners and/or other external partners to continue the development work and hosting of the Map. This will, however, be subject to further approval via the GLA’s decision-making process.

The foregoing sections of this report indicate that:

- The decisions requested of the Assistant Director concern the exercise of the GLA’s general powers, falling within the statutory powers of the GLA to do such things as may be considered to further, and or be facilitative of or conducive or incidental to the furthering of, the promotion of economic development and wealth creation in Greater London; and

- In formulating the proposals in respect of which a decision is sought officers have complied with the GLA’s related statutory duties to:

(a) Pay due regard to the principle that there should be equality of opportunity for all people;

(b) Consider how the proposals will promote the improvement of health of persons, health inequalities between persons and to contribute towards the achievement of sustainable development in the United Kingdom; and

(c) Consult with appropriate bodies.

In taking the decisions requested, the Assistant Director must have due regard to the Public Sector Equality Duty; namely the need to eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other conduct prohibited by the Equality Act 2010, and to advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic (race, disability, gender, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief, pregnancy and maternity and gender reassignment) and persons who do not share it (section 149 of the Equality Act 2010). To this end, the Assistant Director should have particular regard to section 3 (above) of this report.

Officers must ensure that the GLA’s contract documentation with Trampoline Systems accurately reflects current service provision in 2018/19 and that approvals are obtained for the same and any future provision as soon as possible.