On Wednesday 20th August at 1pm, IPSA Kind of Magic is hosted by Gareth Wax and joined by Hamish McLay. They will also be joined by Val Bennett, an experienced independent search agent who has worked closely with councils for many years and brings a wealth of knowledge about local authority processes and property searches. Together, they will share what members are observing in their daily work. It is a field-level view of the property search landscape, where small signs can sometimes point towards wider trends. The discussion will be practical, grounded, and drawn from direct interaction with councils across the country.

IPSA members are often well placed to notice changes as they happen. A shift in development activity, adjustments in council processes, or variations in turnaround times can all be early indicators of change. While these details may seem minor in isolation, together they contribute to a clearer understanding of the wider picture.

Some areas appear to be moving from the planning stage towards more visible development activity, with infrastructure work hinting at future larger schemes. In other regions, the pace feels steadier, although there is more discussion about potential projects in the pipeline. These shifts can be reflected in the search landscape too, with variations in the volume and type of enquiries, from drainage to sustainable drainage, biodiversity, and flood mitigation.

Processing continues to vary across the country. In some districts, workflows are becoming more efficient and communication channels more responsive. In others, challenges remain, whether due to staffing pressures, legacy systems, or higher volumes of complex applications. Such differences are often seen in validation requirements, the frequency of additional information requests, and the time taken to complete searches.

Technology is also playing its part. Digital mapping tools, online portals, and faster access to datasets are helping to make information more readily available. Even so, interpreting that data still benefits from experience and local knowledge, particularly in situations where a council’s published guidance does not cover every possible nuance.

Quality of service remains central to regulated searches. Standards and process provide the foundation, while the added value often lies in local context, with an understanding of how a particular authority approaches its work and what factors may influence its timelines or requirements.

Seasonal patterns can also be a factor. Late summer may bring changes in team availability, leading to variations in response times. Developers and other stakeholders may time certain activities around these seasonal shifts, which can influence when and how searches are commissioned.

This episode is designed to provide a clear and balanced update. The aim is to give conveyancers, developers, lenders, and agents a sense of what is happening now and what might be on the horizon, based not on theory but on current working realities.

Join us live on Wednesday 20th August at 1pm. Contributions and insights from those working in the field are always welcome, whether before, during, or after the discussion.

PS:
For content enquiries: hamish@ipsa-online.org.uk
For podcast/media info: gareth@mphats.com