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
| 2004/05 | 2005/06 | 2006/07 | 2007/08 | 2008/09 | 2009/10 | 2010/11 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
Additional Performance Indicators
| 2004/05 | 2005/06 | 2006/07 | 2007/08 | 2008/09 | 2009/10 | 2010/11 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Searches received | 2750 | 2858 | 3399 | 2842 | 1592 | 3198 | 2267 |
| Incomplete Searches returned | 35 | 34 | 28 | 32 | 29 | 5 | 1 |
| Standard Searches received | 1814 | 1913 | 2224 | 1883 | 1070 | 1403 | 1226 |
| Standard Searches returned within ten working days | 1814 | 1913 | 2224 | 1883 | 1070 | 1403 | 1226 |
| Standard Searches returned after ten working days | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| All Searches returned within ten working days | 2750 | 2858 | 3399 | 2842 | 1592 | 3198 | 2267 |
| All Searches returned after ten working days | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Expedited Search requests | 78 | 22 | 29 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 12 |
| Telephone calls made | 29 | 39 | 43 | 19 | 18 | 13 | 13 |
| Telephone calls received | 1435 | 1175 | 1048 | 1070 | 656 | 755 | 537 |
| Letters received | 163 | 169 | 106 | 90 | 51 | 30 | 19 |
| Letters sent | 195 | 130 | 108 | 156 | 55 | 68 | 13 |
| Registrations received | 195 | 80 | 125 | 282 | 129 | 315 | 345 |
| Registrations registered within one working day | 195 | 80 | 125 | 282 | 129 | 315 | 345 |
| Personal searches | 236 | 408 | 605 | 1128 | 1184 | 917 | 59 |
Of the total searches returned during 20010/11, 99.9% were returned within 0 to 5 working days and 0.1% were returned within 6 to 10 working days.
If you would like any further information on the figures above please contact us.
Land Charges Financial Statement
Land Charges – financial statement for 2010/11 as required by regulation 9 of The Local Authorities (Charges for Property Searches) Regulations 2008 - download the statement (word 66 kB)
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/emails 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, by email if possible.
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 Chief Executive, North Devon District Council, 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.
