Land Data 2013 Local Land Charges Awards for Excellence

TM
2013
Local Land Charges Awards
for Excellence
Recognising excellence in the local land charges industry
The mark of
refined quality
Congratulations to all the
winners and nominees
From all at SearchFlow
Proud sponsors of the table wine at the
2013 Local Land Charges Awards for Excellence
Thousands of law firms choose SearchFlow as the best way to access full Local Authority CON29
data through our fast, convenient one-stop shop, built on the scalable nationwide NLIS platform.
Our market-leading customer service, together with high quality training programmes ensures that
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With our resources and reach in the legal marketplace, we are your number 1 NLIS champion,
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For more information, visit us at www.searchflow.co.uk,
call 0870 220 3088 or email [email protected]
contents
by Jan Boothroyd
Chief Executive, Land Data cic
A warm welcome to the 2013 Land Data Local Land Charges Awards for
Excellence, where we celebrate excellence across all areas of local land
charges from customer services to electronic turnaround and efficiency.
Looking back over the last twelve months, Land Data has witnessed the
impact of the financial climate on local authorities. Pressures on budgets
and resources have for many meant increased workloads, loss of staff and, in
some cases, reduced working hours. Although the climate is challenging and
pressurised, we are very pleased that your engagement and support for these
Awards has increased.
This year we had a record number of entries, the highest since the awards
launched 6 years ago and a high proportion were for local authorities
who have not been nominated before. From conveyancers too we had a
fantastic response for the customer satisfaction award with a total of 62 local
authorities receiving nominations.
The increase in nominations, coupled with LAs completing their MyNLIS
data, has resulted in a significant rise of ‘first-time’ finalists, which is always
good to see. Congratulations to all the winning and commended entries, it’s
encouraging to see that high standards and excellence are being maintained
in a period of constant challenge and change.
During 2013 Land Data will continue to work proudly with local government
on a range of training and events at both an individual local authority level
and a national strategic one. Our work as a campaigner for authoritative data
will also continue, alongside our role as NLIS regulator.
My sincere thanks go to the Awards sponsors, it would be impossible for these
awards to take place without their support and commitment. Thank you NLIS,
LLCI and Thames Water Property Searches for sponsoring the award categories,
SearchFlow for sponsoring the wine at the awards dinner and TM Group for
providing the after dinner entertainment.
Jan Boothroyd
Chief Executive, Land Data cic
With thanks to all our sponsors
Sponsors
NLIS
LLCI
Thames Water Property Searches
SearchFlow
TM Group
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Customer satisfaction
award for local authority
searches
foreword
Chief Executive’s Welcome
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Most improved
NLIS services
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Local land charges
officer of the year
10
Best performing NLIS
level 3 local land
charges department
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Best performing NLIS
level 2 local land
charges department
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2013 special
tribute award
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Award sponsors
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Land Data Training
& Events
TM
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aini & Events
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are proud to sponsor the
Customer Satisfaction Award
for Local Authority searches
T: 0845 070 9148
www.thameswater-propertysearches.co.uk
winner
Wakefield Metropolitan
District Council
Highly commended
Birmingham City Council
About the Award
This award is voted for by local authority search customers
– solicitors and licensed conveyancers. Customers are asked
to nominate a local authority that they feel is genuinely
committed to delivering a high level of customer service in
terms of quality, efficiency, reliability and value for money.
Judges selected the winner and highly commended local
authority based on the number of votes that each local
authority received along with any supporting comments.
Left to right: Sue Dixon, Lorna Durkin and
Karen Cook
Here is a selection of the comments that were made about
Wakefield District Council:
“They are the market leaders when it comes to local property
searches – cost, speed and quality of data are second to none,
they provide us with a fantastic service.”
“Quick return (within the hour), cheap, easy to request and
the staff there are always helpful in discussing aspects of the
searches or resending the same if it was not received.”
“They are brilliant and really do provide us with an
excellent service.”
“They are very quick with their replies, extremely helpful and
are always willing to go that extra mile.”
customer satisfaction
Customer Satisfaction Award for Local Authority Searches
sponsored by
5
Congratulations!
As proud sponsor of the Most Improved NLIS
Services Award and Best Performing NLIS Level
3 and Level 2 Local Land Charges Department
Awards, NLIS would like to take the opportunity to
congratulate all the winners and nominees!
Make sure it’s electronic. Make sure it’s NLIS.
Go to www.nlis.org.uk to find out more or email [email protected]
www.searchflow.co.uk [email protected] 0870 990 9946
www.thameswater-propertysearches.co.uk
[email protected]
0845 070 9148
winner
West Lindsey District
Council
Highly commended
Chorley Borough Council
About the Award
This category looks at the local land charges departments that have
made the most improvements to their service between 1 June 2012
and 30 November 2012.
Judges use NLIS Hub data to judge this award and look for
evidence of:
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The highest increase in the percentage of NLIS electronic
search volumes versus other search types (i.e. paper,
personal, email or other portal)
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Whether an electronic search price is held by the LA
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The highest increase in NLIS electronic search return
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The most improved turnaround performance.
Left to right: Andrew Green, Lesley Wain and
Nick Ethelstone (line manager)
improved services
Most Improved NLIS Services Award
The top ten most improved local authorities:
1. West Lindsey District Council
2. Chorley Borough Council
3. South Ribble Borough Council
4. Torridge District Council
5. Maldon District Council
sponsored by
6. Islington Borough Council
7. Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council
8. Craven District Council
9. Cheshire East Council
10. Burnley Borough Council
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officer of the year
Local Land Charges Officer of the Year
winner
Vincent Hindley,
Rossendale Borough
Council
Highly commended
Amanda Harcourt,
City of London Corporation
About the Award
This award recognises all personnel working within local land
charges or any related department, who have performed their
role to a high degree of professionalism throughout the year.
Nominations, supported by testimonials, are submitted by
colleagues who believe their nominee is worthy of the award.
Vincent Hindley
Here are some of the comments colleagues made about Vincent:
“Vincent is always helpful and prompt with information.
He is a credit to the service and the Council. He is a fantastic
ambassador for local land charges and thoroughly deserves
this award as recognition of everything he does.”
“Vincent has worked for the council for over 30 years, he is hard
working, extremely helpful, supportive and adaptable – he
never says that’s not my job.”
“Vincent is extremely well respected for his expertise and
commitment and is a real team player.”
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“Vincent is always extremely helpful and cheerful. He goes
above and beyond his normal duties to be helpful, and he is an
authority on Local Land Charges and many other aspects
of local government.”
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best NLIS level 3
Best Performing NLIS Level 3 Local Land Charges Department
winner
Westminster City
Council
Highly commended
Torridge District Council
About the Award
This award recognises the best performing local land charges
department operating at NLIS level 3, between 1 June 2012 and
30 November 2012. NLIS Hub data is used to judge this award.
Judges use NLIS Hub data to judge this award and look for
evidence of:
-
The highest overall percentage of NLIS electronic
search volumes
-
The fastest electronic turnaround time
-
Whether an NLIS electronic price is held by the LA
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Whether the LA submits data to MyNLIS on a monthly basis.
Left to right/top to bottom: Kim Bellengi,
Annaliza Dimatulac, Clancy Connolly and
Geeta Patel
The top ten best performing NLIS level 3 local authorities
1. Westminster City Council
2. Torridge District Council
3. Wealden District Council
4. Reading Borough Council
5. Dartford Borough Council
6. Hastings Borough Council
7. Powys County Council
8. Ashford Borough Council
9. Hammersmith & Fulham London Borough Council
10. Kingston Upon Hull City Council
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sponsored by
winner
North Devon
Council
Highly commended
Stevenage Borough Council
About the Award
This award recognises the best performing local land charges
department operating at NLIS level 2, between 1 June 2012 and
30 November 2012. NLIS Hub data is used to judge this award.
Judges use NLIS Hub data to judge this award and look for
evidence of:
-
The highest percentage level of NLIS electronic return
-
The fastest electronic turnaround time
-
The lowest combined LLC1 and Con29R price
-
Whether the LA submits data to MyNLIS on a monthly basis.
Debbie Collard and Robert Bates
best NLIS level 2
Best Performing NLIS Level 2 Local Land Charges Department
The top ten best performing NLIS level 2 local authorities
1. North Devon Council
2. Stevenage Borough Council
3. Birmingham City Council
4. Three Rivers District Council
5. Bromley London Borough Council
6. Barrow-in-Furness Borough Council
sponsored by
7. London Borough of Sutton
8. Mid Sussex District Council
9. Lewes District Council
10. Plymouth City Council
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special tribute
2013 Special Tribute Award
winner
Shirley Crook,
London Borough
of Croydon
About the Award
The Special Tribute Award was created to give recognition to
an individual who, in the considered opinion of the Past LLCI
Presidents, had worked unselfishly, unstintingly and often
intuitively to encourage and support others within the Local
Land Charges community.
The Past Presidents look for candidates whose sterling efforts
would, without this award, possibly go unrewarded. The Award
is not measured against a formal set of criteria and that can
make the decision all the more difficult particularly, when as this
year, more than one candidate is being considered. In the end
though, the decision was unanimous.
This year’s winner has contributed to Local Land Charges on
a number of important fronts, often in her own time. She has
repeatedly engaged and lobbied conveyancers with regard
to the use of electronic authoritative searches; she’s prepared
marketing and educational material, which is now being used
nationally by her peers. She’s also taken up a position on a
national stakeholder liaison group.
Shirley Crook
Past Presidents:
Jan Boothroyd
Alison Walker
Ena Dixon
Peter Moore
The Past Presidents’ acknowledge that others are working
hard and valiantly in some of the areas mentioned and those
dedicated people are to be commended. However, it is for her
breadth of work during 2012/13 that this Award is being made.
For these reasons the 2013 Special Tribute Award is being
presented to Shirley Crook from the London Borough of Croydon.
supported by
LLCI Past Presidents
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LLCI (Award sponsor)
SearchFlow (Dinner wine sponsor)
LLCI was formed in November 2000 by the amalgamation
of two Local Land Charges Associations. The associations
have achieved national recognition as the representative
body for local land charges. LLCI is now consulted by
and works closely with government departments, local
authority associations, Land Data, the legal profession and
the private sector on a wide range of issues, initiatives
and legislation, thereby ensuring that local land charges
officers are not only kept abreast of all new developments
but are at the forefront of shaping the future of the service.
SearchFlow is the UK’s leading electronic conveyancing
search provider and a proud supporter of the National
Land Information Service (NLIS). Working in close
partnership with the NLIS Hub and local authorities, we
deliver an unbeatable combination of the best customer
support, turnaround times and value.
Website: www.llci.org
(After dinner entertainment sponsor)
Website: www.searchflow.co.uk
TM GROUP (UK) PLC
TM Group (UK) Limited includes TM Official Search
Services, TM Property Searches and TM Secure.
NLIS (Award sponsor)
TM delivers flexible and efficient online systems that
are designed to help property professionals order
and manage conveyancing information online. An
independent company with over 14 years’ experience in
web-based conveyancing tools, TM Group has developed
a range of sophisticated online systems that focus on
reducing risk and maximising efficiencies.
NLIS provides electronic access to all the official sources
of land and property information, across the whole of
England and Wales, via a number of competing channels.
The organisation is at the forefront of the e-conveyancing
revolution, which is streamlining and improving the
home-buying process. NLIS users can access electronic
information from a range of data providers including,
348 Local Authorities, Land Registry, the Coal Authority
and water companies.
•
TM Official Search Services links local authorities
directly with conveyancers helping to smooth the
process of supplying Official Searches
•
TM Property Searches offers both residential and
commercial conveyancers an online search ordering
and management system including over 75 different
searches, instant title insurance policies and a
compliance suite that includes a sophisticated antimoney laundering solution
•
TM Secure provides mortgage lenders and their
panels an effective and efficient way of managing
the conveyancing process and its associated risk.
Website: www.nlis.org.uk
Thames Water Property
Searches (Award sponsor)
Thames Water Property Searches is the official provider of
CON29DW drainage and water enquiries in London and
the South East, as well as an NLIS channel license partner,
providing a wide range of land-based conveyancer and
developer searches throughout England and Wales. Our
reputation is built on the quality of our service and we
pride ourselves on the excellent relationships we hold
across the industry.
sponsors details
Sponsors Details
TM’s robust and flexible systems deliver a wide range of
conveyancing services to the property industry that are
now employed by many organisations including many
search suppliers who rely on TM’s efficient technology to
access searches for their own customers.
Our customers appreciate our professionalism and
expertise, and we combine industry-leading technology
with dedicated and enthusiastic people to deliver the best
possible service. We believe passionately in putting our
customers at the heart of everything that we do. With quick
turnaround times, quality products and no hidden costs, our
online service is just a click away.
Website: www.tmgroup.co.uk
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Website: www.thameswater-propertysearches.co.uk
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training & events
Land Data Training & Events
Land Data
Training & Events
Land Data offers training and event management services
to local authorities on an individual local authority basis, a
regional group basis or on a national level. Drawing on Land
Data’s experience and contacts within the land and property
searches sector, the training sessions will offer interesting and
informative training and development opportunities. In a
recent survey conducted by Land Data, just over 81% of 165
local authorities confirmed they wanted training on specific
local land charges topics.
Online knowledge centre for members (www.land-data.org.uk)
•
Up to date information, support and guidance on
changes in legislation in the local land charges sector.
Local Authority forum (www.land-data.org.uk)
•
Encourages dialogue between local land charges staff in
local authorities across the UK.
Training
•
Training on topical issues for solicitors and local land
charges staff in local authorities across the UK.
The annual Local Land Charges Training & Development event
•
Land Data provided event management, speaker liaison
and content management for the 2013 event.
The Local Land Charges Awards for Excellence
•
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Now in their 6th year, these national awards, created and
organised by Land Data are unique in recognising the
work and achievements of the local land charges industry.
TM
Training & Events
Local Land Charges Training
Course Dates
18th June and 11th July 2013
£225.00 (plus VAT) per person
which includes a sandwich lunch
and refreshments.
This one day course will take place
at Land Data’s London office in
Farringdon. Run by Land Data’s CEO
Jan Boothroyd, the course will give
those working in Local Land Charges
an insight into the legislative and
contractual frameworks surrounding
the Local Land Charges Register and
CON29 enquiries of the local authority
functions and its effect on their duties.
Course highlights include:
Background to the Local Land Charges
Act 1975 and the Local Land Charges
Rules 1977, the Local Land Charges
Register, form LLC1, form CON29, parcels
of land,“Rule 7” and best practice.
For more information please see
www.land-data.org.uk or email
[email protected] to register
your interest.
TM Group is pleased to sponsor
the entertainment for the 2013
Land Data Local Land Charges
Awards for Excellence
www.tmgroup.co.uk
Customer focused. Technology driven.
MT
TM
Land Data cic
Layden House
76 - 86 Turnmill Street
London, EC1M 5LG
t: 020 7251 8385
f: 020 7251 6432
w: land-data.org.uk
© February 2013