We have made significant improvements since December 2004 to the way in which we present information for both the public and all search companies.  This information is extracted directly from our computerised system.

 

In December 2004 we introduced a new service which allows search companies to have a printed copy (for a charge) to take away of both the register information and Planning History.

 

Our duty within the Council to the public, search companies and our insurance company is to ensure that the information we provide is both accurate and has been verified before you view it; and that it takes into account all entries on the relevant registers available at the time of the appointment.

 

We continue to undertake an exercise of parallel testing on ALL searches submitted to us.  The appointment system is the only way that will allow staff sufficient time to process a request, parallel test the results, identify errors, submit them to our data capture team to correct, and then re-run the search once confirmation has been received that the information is validated.

 

All searches submitted to the Council have to go through the above process, which does require a significant amount of work being undertaken by staff in the section prior to any search being produced.   

 

Reasons for the appointment system are clearly stated above, and we would like to draw search companies attention to the ODPM guidelines which clearly state an appointment system can be in operation allowing staff an opportunity to undertake all the duties that is required of them within the Council.

 

Appointments are not available currently within 24 hours we have notified all search companies of the reasons in a letter sent out in December 2004.  However, members of the public wishing to view the register may not be aware of this and the reasons for the appointment system,  therefore we have set out these details above.

 

I am sure that over a period of time we will eventually have all our records verified and at such time we will be able to review the way in which we operate to provide a faster more responsive service.