Sustainable data models, defined standards and upfront information – reflections on the 2025 Local Land Charges Training & Development Event

by Fiona Barron, Chief Executive, Land Data

The 2025 Local Land Charges (LLC) Training & Development Event, held on 11-12 March, once again demonstrated the immense value of coming together as a community, even in an online setting. With 150 delegates from local land charges, planning and beyond; and 20 speakers from central and local government, finance, the searches industry and professional development, the event was a buzzing forum for knowledge-sharing, new ideas and joining the policy dots! 

Here’s a whistle stop tour of the themes which stood out to me.  

New Government data initiatives 

Tom Treadwell from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government opened the event with a clear summary of his department’s new initiatives to make home buying and selling quicker and cheaper. These include investigating data standards for the home buying and selling sector and digitalising local authority data sets used in conveyancing in 10 pilot authorities. Standards and controlled accessibility are essential if we are to realise a future of FAIR data (findable, accessible, interoperable, reuseable) and I look forward to seeing the outcomes of this work. 

Data must be meaningful 

One of the standout messages from the event came from Ian Hughes of the Mining Remediation Authority, who succinctly captured the mission of the Local Land Charges profession: ‘Data for data’s sake is pointless. It has to be meaningful and understood’. This sentiment perfectly encapsulates the role of LLC teams who, in compiling Official Searches, interpret data from multiple sources to ensure it is relevant to the home mover. I kept revisiting this theme during the event as we explored upfront information, new and current digitalisation projects and the future of Official Searches.  

Good quality data must be paid for 

A reassuring message that came through loud and clear from several speakers was that well maintained data needs to be paid for. Going back to Ian’s point, without funding, data can’t be maintained and loses its value. In a discussion session exploring local authority data ownership and liability, Nick Chapallaz, Managing Director at GeoPlace and Land Data Board Member said “data is the most important asset we have beyond people. It needs to be valued, looked after and protected”. He said part of this protection lies in clear data-sharing terms which prevent uncontrolled use and misinterpretation of local authority data.  

Nick’s co-presenter Juliet Whitworth, Head of Research and Information at the LGA and also a Land Data Board member talked passionately about developing sustainable local government data models. She asserted that current initiatives to improve data access must ensure the sustainability of the data they rely on, rather than undermine it.  

Upfront Information and Material Information  

On our panel session, experts from the Law Society, the Home Buying and Selling Council and National Trading Standards Estate and Lettings Agency Team, summed up the value of Upfront Information as “right buyer, right property, right lender, right price”. The ambitions are to destress the home buying process by giving home buyers more information and certainty about a property from the outset – leading to quicker, cheaper transactions.   

Material Information differs in that it is a legal requirement, its purpose is to disclose information that could impact a buyer’s decision to purchase. 

The future of Official Searches – a deliberate choice 

In my session I spoke about the need to make sure that the future of Official Searches does not happen by accident – it needs to be a conscious decision by the market. Just like the data that fuels them, Official Searches need a sustainable business model that secures their future. 

Land Data is currently leading an extensive piece of market research covering the whole market to understand the needs of all players involved in or impacted by conveyancing searches, including local authorities. This insight will help us define ways in which NLIS can evolve to streamline and improve the Official Searches market, supporting stable property transactions for consumers. We're midway through the research and have learnt a huge amount.  

Until next time 

The 2025 Virtual LLC Training & Development Event and the LLC Awards for Excellence reaffirmed the strength of the local land charges profession. As ever, things are changing. Being part of this event gives you the opportunity to listen, but also to ask questions and express your opinion on the direction of travel. It is a way to engage, to have a voice and celebrate excellence    

A huge thank you to all our speakers, delegates, award winners and organisers for making this event a resounding success. We sincerely hope to be back in person for next year’s event, but we will of course be led by you.