Two snippets that may be of interest.
 
VAT:
My understanding is that VAT is not applicable to information provided under Access to Environmental Information Regs.
 
 
Scales of charging, environmental information searches:
Walsall MBC Pollution Control adopts a charging rate of £40 per hour (min charge one hour then in ½hour increments) for supply of environmental info. We make no distinction between private or commercial enquiries.
 
We do discuss enquiries over the phone and often give yes/no responses in this situation. Similarly we try to give an indication of whether we hold information that may be of use about a location, however before proceeding with a search of records we require the questions to be put in writing (letter, fax, e-mail) as we often find that what is asked over the phone is not reflected in the written version. Most local solicitors and "regular" environmental search companies now send in a list of questions in the first instance.
 
At this point we review the request and estimate the time required to search for the information required to respond to the various elements and then provide a quotation for carrying out the work. These tend to fall into the £100 to £140 region. When providing the quotation we make it clear that the cost is for carrying out the research to respond to the questions and that in some cases our response may be that we have no relevant information.  We also adopt a policy of "payment with order" and do not forward information unless payment has been received. Arrangements are in place to take "over the phone card payments" to speed things up.
 
Adopting this approach has helped us to avoid the "catch all" enquires that indicate a search radius of 1km or 2 km although we do get some that specify a large radius but tend to be very specific about the information required thus reducing costs.
 
We also provide a "data sheet" service related specifically to landfill sites (closed or operational) in our area. This is charged at £25 per enquiry location and comprises a location plan and a synopsis of the data held for all sites within 250 metres of the enquiry address.. Requests for this information have almost ceased as solicitors have become more focused on the wider land contamination issues.
 

Ian Jarrett.

Principal Pollution Control Officer.

01922 652237

[log in to unmask]

 

Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council.

Pollution Control ,

Engineering and Transportation Services,

2nd Floor, Civic Centre,

Darwall Street,

Walsall.

WS1 1DG

 

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-----Original Message-----
From: Contaminated Land Management Discussion List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Adshead, Nicola
Sent: 14 August 2007 11:56
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Search Fees and Environmental Information

Hello,
 
I didn't think that VAT was applicable to environmental information, we have never charged VAT for ours, does anyone else have any comments on this? We have a two tier system, £41 (per hour) for domestic premsies/enquiries, which includes those referred by solicitors and £82 (per hour) for commercial premises/enquiries. We think we offer good value for money especially in comparison to 'commercial outfits' as we are happy to dicsuss the information with the enquirer and have local knowledge of the situation.
 
Regards

Nicola Adshead
Scientific Officer - Environmental Protection
Environmental Health Division
Tel: 01908 252097
Fax: 01908 528159

 

From: Contaminated Land Management Discussion List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Gareth Rees
Sent: 14 August 2007 11:48
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Search Fees and Environmental Information

We charge a flat rate of £69.29+vat for all information not covered in land charges and HIPs as any land that has been declared is covered by those

 

We have a good set of gis data and I have stated adding results from surveys to the gis system so I don't even have to go o the paper files for further information.  I will generally tell people over the phone what I can or can't put in writing about a property and if it is worth them sending in the money to put it down in writing as a quick gis search while they are on the phone will tell me If I have any information they may want or if it will be a waste of time.

 

Gareth Rees
Contaminated Land Officer,
Harborough District Council,

Tel: 01858 821174

From: Contaminated Land Management Discussion List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Beesley, Darren
Sent: 14 August 2007 11:38
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Search Fees and Environmental Information

 

At Camden we publish historical land use information online (taken from our GIS), we also give a statement as to whether a site has been determined as contaminated land (yes/no response) and planning history (including copies of SI reports) all available for free online.

 

Flat rate of £60 (required up front and payable on line) if additional information is required.

 

We have found that this approach has reduced total number of enquiries and is more efficient in terms of less officer time spent raising invoices based on officer time/ hourly rates and no chasing payment required.  

 

Regards

 

Darren Beesley
Environmental Health Team
Tel: 020 7974 2638
Fax:020 7974 6955

Culture & Environment Directorate
London Borough of Camden
Town Hall Offices
Argyle Street
London
WC1H 8EQ
www.camden.gov.uk/contaminatedland

From: Contaminated Land Management Discussion List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of John Allison
Sent: 14 August 2007 11:17
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Search Fees and Environmental Information


Hello All
Agreed that fees should ideally be proportionate to work done but for convenience and cost of administration many LAs reasonably charge fixed rates. Another issue worth considering - what if a local authority is inefficient at retrieving information - should businesses bear the cost of this inefficiency? One LA may have a highly efficient GIS system containing all data whereas another may have paper files scattered far and wide needing a lot of officer time to respond to enquiries.
Worth pointing out that consultants AND solicitors both pass the cost on to the client directly, raising prices just increases the cost of everyone doing business - consider this if you are based in area which would benefit from investment!
Also we all pay for this in the end in higher product prices as businesses still need to cover costs and make a profit.
Why is it assumed that solicitors only work for homebuyers, they also do considerable work for commercial clients? Note also that many "homebuyers" may actually be  businesses.
best regards
John
John Allison BSc(Hons) MRSC SiLC
Principal Land Quality Consultant

MWH

Dominion House
Temple Court
Birchwood
Warrington
WA3 6GD

tel. +44 (0) 1925 845156
fax. +44 (0) 1925 845001
email [log in to unmask]

(Please do not print this email unless necessary)

Robin MacKenzie <[log in to unmask]>
Sent by: Contaminated Land Management Discussion List <[log in to unmask]>

14/08/2007 10:40

Please respond to
Robin MacKenzie <[log in to unmask]>

To

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Subject

Search Fees and Environmental Information

 

 

 




It should be proportionate to an Officers time in collating the information - hourly pro rata. The Trading Standard Institute prescribes search fees for petroleum histories; why should the taxpayer subsidise consultants and third parties profiting!!!!
 
Robin Mackenzie
Contaminated Land Co-ordinator
[log in to unmask]
Environment Service
Perth and Kinross Council
Pullar House
35 Kinnoull Street
PERTH
PH1 5GD
Mob: 07810057566
Tel Direct Dial: 01738 476443
Fax: 01738 476410
 

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