This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Registers of Scotland
24/11/2006
A decision on the possible relocation of the Registers of Scotland, the land and property registration agency, has been deferred.
Deputy Communities Minister Des McNulty said the reason for deferral was to allow any move to be considered within the wider context of the agency's overall business change programme.
Registers of Scotland, based mainly in Edinburgh and three other locations in central Scotland, is currently beginning the implementation of a major change programme that will make increased use of new technology to ensure it is as efficient and effective as possible while delivering the best service to customers.
Mr McNulty said:
"Ministers have given careful consideration to the Stage Two Relocation Appraisal Report that was prepared by Registers of Scotland, which envisaged a partial, phased move. However, it is far more sensible to make decisions on relocating posts within the context of the future needs of the agency. To consider these issues separately would cause unnecessary dislocation and disruption.
"This will deliver the best long-term outcomes both for the public and for the staff.
"It is also the best way to safeguard the continued delivery of quality services from Registers of Scotland.
"I have asked the agency to consider its future accommodation needs and location within the context of its change programme and to report back to me on the potential options within a year."
Deputy Minister for Finance and Public Service Reform George Lyon said:
"We remain committed to our policy for the relocation of public sector. We consider each case on its own merits - and that is exactly what we have done with Registers of Scotland.
"This decision ensures the organisation can consider its location and accommodation needs as part of its wider change programme, and is entirely consistent with our commitment to efficiency, effectiveness and improving the delivery of public services.
"Relocation policy is spreading the benefits of public sector jobs across Scotland, but also aims to ensure more efficient and cost-effective public services.
"We remain committed to these aims and have already announced decisions this year to relocate Sportscotland to Glasgow and the CalMac vessel owning company to Inverclyde."
Registers of Scotland is the Executive agency responsible for compiling and maintaining records relating to land and property. It currently employs more than 1,300 staff at four locations in central Scotland.
The majority of these staff are based at Meadowbank House in Edinburgh and around 270 are based in Glasgow.
Following the Stage One Relocation Appraisal Report, published in April 2005, Ministers decided against a wholesale relocation of Registers of Scotland staff, and the agency was asked to consider a partial and phased move of some staff.
The agency's Stage Two Relocation Appraisal Report was published in June 2006. It provides detailed analysis of the options for a phased and partial relocation of Registers of Scotland staff and the impact of that on the agency's business. The report concluded that if relocation went ahead, Glasgow was the best match against the criteria set for evaluation.
Registers of Scotland is currently engaged in a major change programme, which will be implemented over the period 2006 - 2011 and which will affect the whole agency. This will involve the introduction of new technology and business practices and is expected to deliver significant efficiency savings as well as new and improved services for its customers. The agency's location and accommodation needs will be considered as part of these wider changes that will be required to deliver the programme.
The Executive's policy on relocation has been in operation since 1999. When a new unit or agency is established, or if an existing unit is merged or otherwise reorganised, the policy requires that a location review is undertaken to ascertain where the body is to be relocated.