Representation on working parties and with official bodies and organisations United Nations Economic Commission for Europe – Working Party on Land Administration (UNECE WPLA) Our Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Business Development Ted Beardsall – as the senior officer responsible for international activities – has continued to represent Land Registry on the Bureau of the UNECE WPLA, attending meetings in Prague, Czech Republic, and Athens, Greece. We also contributed to the land administration review carried out in Azerbaijan in 2006 under the auspices of the UNECE WPLA (see Projects and associated work below). European Land Information Service Ted Beardsall and the recently appointed Head of the Unit Jon Atkey have continued to represent Land Registry on the European Land Information Service (EULIS) Steering Committee and on the EULIS Programme Management Group respectively. This year saw the successful launch of the EULIS portal as a live service, the connection to the portal of five out of the eight founding land registration services, and the formal the signing up of two new countries – Iceland and the Republic of Ireland. We have continued to play a leading role within the EULIS partnership, especially with regard to business planning and business case development. Land Registry has also contributed in the areas of quality assurance of EULIS reference information, identifying an appropriate legal form and governance structure for the future and developing a forum for service and help desk personnel. In September 2006, we hosted one of the four steering committee meetings held during the year. European Land Registry Association We remain active members of the European Land Registry Association (ELRA), attending meetings in Brussels, which now forms the centre of ELRA’s activities. ELRA was established in Portugal in 2004 and was formed in order to focus on the legal aspects of conveyancing, land registration and security of transactions, to actively participate and advise as appropriate in relation to the development of new European legislation affecting the issue of secured interests in land and property and to contribute effectively to future European Union policy in respect of land registration. Permanent Committee on Cadastre in the European Union The Permanent Committee on Cadastre in the European Union (PCC) is constituted as an association of the European Union Member States’ Cadastral Official Institutions. Taking into consideration the influence of cadastre on the legal systems and the economies of the EU and member states, the PCC’s main purpose is to serve as a network of excellence on cadastre, thus facilitating the exchange of information, expertise and best practices among its members. Although Ordnance Survey is the official representative for the UK on the PCC, Andrew Trigg was invited to attend a joint meeting of the PCC and EuroGeographics (see below) in Finland in November 2006. EuroGeographics EuroGeographics is an umbrella organisation representing mapping and cadastral agencies across Europe. The members of EuroGeographics are working to deliver the European Spatial Data Infrastructure to help governments, businesses and citizens to enjoy a safe and sustainable future. Land Registry has continued to provide input at the meetings of EuroGeographics, despite not officially being members of the organisation. |
