Performance, progress towards strategic objectives and future strategy

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 3: To create a Land Register with comprehensive content and national coverage by 2012

During 2004–05, we appointed register development managers in each local office to promote voluntary registration to potential customers and communicate the importance of the task to Land Registry staff. Our customer base for potential voluntary first registrations has increased to over 800.

• Where local authorities/other major landowners wish to undertake strategic registration programmes but are unable to devote sufficient resources, Land Registry staff are working with customers in their offices.
• Met a variety of large landholders, including the Crown Estate, Port of London Authority, Imperial College, utility companies, Peak District National Park, Highways Agency, Blenheim Estate, Christ Church Oxford, Boots plc and others.
• Made presentations to Lawrence Graham Solicitors, the Country Land and Business Association, the Charities Properties Association and the Ecclesiastical Law Association.
• Published an article in the Charity Commission’s Newsletter which resulted in over 150 charities contacting the central Register Development Team.
• Published an article the journal of the Law Society Property Section to encourage solicitors with clients with large landholdings to consider voluntary registration.
• The Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs and Lord Chancellor wrote to the main landholding government departments and agencies to achieve registration of their estates and will follow this up with each department/agency.
• Produced a marketing pack and factsheet for potential customers and are developing a national marketing campaign.
• Technical developments, such as the import and export of electronic map data, should make future applications easier and simpler for customers.