DELAYS on dealing with land charge searches continue to improve – Dorset councillors have been told.

The delays have previously led to an official apology from the council for consistently failing to be even close to the Government target.

Officials say the problem has been caused by an unexpected and unprecedented demand caused by the Government’s “stamp duty holiday” which led to a surge in house sales; coupled with changes to the council’s IT system and a shortage of staff all compounded by home working brought about by Covid.

The latest figures reported to councillors on Friday show that searches are now being dealt with in 51 working days, compared to 62 in November – the Government target is ten working days.

The meeting, set up to look at the council’s budget, was told that extra staff had now been recruited and trained which had eased the situation and there was confidence that the figures would continue to improve.

The meeting was told that despite the ending of the stamp duty relief demand had continued to be high.