to find ownership the land registry will only be able to tell you if it is land registry title, also they will need a map of the area to search for you, if they cannot ascertain the ownership you will have to check with Law Searchers and copy them the map and they will do a search and it may be registry of deeds title. is the property currently for sale? if it is not then you could approach the property section of the council but buying anything from the council is drawn out, they will need to get approval before a monthly council meeting to the sale and the price. how is it you think it is owned by the council?