Union seeks meeting with minister on Land Registry closure proposals

The FDA has written to Michael Willis MP, minister with responsibility for HM Land Registry, requesting a meeting to urge him to consider all alternatives to closing five of the department's regional offices.

The consultation on the Accelerated Transformation Programme - which proposes to close offices in Croydon, Peterborough, Portsmouth, Stevenage and Tunbridge Wells - ended on 29 January.

Ro Marsh, FDA national officer, said: "The The FDA - through its HM Land Registry branch - has put forward an alternative approach that would retain the existing regional networks and achieve any necessary reduction in staff numbers through natural wastage and targeted voluntary redundancy and early retirement schemes.

"Where there is a surplus of office space in HM Land Registry buildings, the department should move to smaller rented premises in the same area or enter into sale-and-leaseback of the necessary space where appropriate."

FDA's alternative to HM Land Registry's Accelerated Transformation Programme
FDA response to HM Land Registry ATP consultation

FDA briefing
FDA briefing on HM Land Registry ATP proposals

Press releases
5 February 2010: Land Registry must consider all alternatives to closure of regional offices
13 January 2010: Land Registry customer satisfaction under threat if frontline services are slashed