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Land Charges Performance

There is only one unofficial recognised indicator of performance. That is the percentage of searches returned within ten working days. With the advent of the Home Information Packs this will reduce to five working days. We also keep additional performance indicators which can be seen below.

All Search Returns within 10 Working Days
2001/022002/032003/042004/052005/062006/072007/08
100%100%100%100%100%100%100%

Additional Performance Indicators

 2001/022002/032003/042004/052005/062006/072007/08
Searches received3876377435632750285833992842
Incomplete Searches returned103895635342832
Standard Searches received1458269624581814191322241883
Standard Searches returned within ten working days1458269624581814191322241883
Standard Searches returned after ten working days0000000
All Searches returned within ten working days3876377435632750285833992842
All Searches returned after ten working days0000000
Expedited Search requests139755478222917
Telephone calls made98483829394319
Telephone calls received1951200517591435117510481070
Letters received27926421616316910690
Letters sent257228248195130108156
Registrations received1029719119580125282
Registrations registered within one working day1029719119580125282
Personal searches1101572452364086051128

Of the total searches returned during 2007/08, 84% were returned within 0 to 5 working days and 16% were returned within 6 to 10 working days.

If you would like any further information on the figures above please contact us.

Our service to you

We work in accordance with the Local Land Charges Code of Practice published by the Local Government Association.

In addition we are committed to provide the following:
1. To answer the telephone within four rings.
2. To reply to letters within 24 hours.
3. To reply to any telephone message within 24 hours.
4. To return all standard searches within ten working days.
5. Not to return a search unless something is substantially wrong with it, i.e. the cheque is the wrong payee.
6. To supply copy documents within 24 hours.
7. To inform the searcher of the reason should there be a substantial delay in returning a search.
8. To provide information on work procedures and developments that may affect applications immediately.
9. To give six weeks notice of any increase in fees, such fees only to be increased, except in exceptional circumstances, on 1st April only.

Complaints Procedure

If you have reason to make a complaint about any part of our service in the first instance please do not hesitate to contact one of the Land Charge Officers.

If you are not satisfied with this response please contact the Assistant Chief Executive, Legal & Democratic Services, Civic Centre, North Walk, Barnstaple, Devon, EX31 1EA.

All complaints are treated seriously and you will be advised of any outcome or action in due course.

Suggestions or Comments

If you have any suggestions or comments about the service we provide please do not hesitate to contact us.