Best value update

Report: 5
Date: 8 November 2001
By: Clerk

Summary

This paper provides an update on issues related to best value and seeks nominations for a member to sit on the project board for the best value review of 'records management'.

A. Recommendations

1. That members note the current position.
2. That the committee nominates a lead member for the best value review of 'records management'.

B. Supporting information

Programme of best value reviews

1. The best value programme board (chaired by Reshard Auladin) meets on 15 November 2001 and will consider proposed changes to the programme of best value reviews. The programme will then be presented to the Finance, Planning and Best Value Committee on 26 November for consideration and approval.

2. MPS officers have recently started work on a best value review of 'records management'. The exact scope of the review has yet to be determined but will encompass work to introduce the Freedom of Information Act. As with all best value reviews there is a need to secure member involvement and a nomination is requested for a member to sit on the project board for the review (likely to meet every 6-8 weeks over the lifetime of the review).

Audit Commission best value annual statement

3. The Audit Commission has published its best value annual statement for 2001 ('Changing Gear'). The key messages from the statement are attached at Appendix 1 and a fuller summary will be considered by the best value programme board at its meeting on 15 November.

Government review of best value

4. The Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions announced in October a three-month review of the best value regime. There are a number of key aims:

• reducing bureaucracy;
• focusing on high standards rather than just lowest cost;
• ensuring an even-handed approach to selection of service provider;
• helping to protect the terms and conditions of employees;
• involving frontline staff in a creative way;
• providing opportunities for successful local authorities to carry out work for others, including other authorities that are experiencing difficulties.

5. The implications for all best value authorities are currently unclear and MPA officers, via the APA, are seeking additional information.

C. Financial implications

There are no direct financial implications.

D. Background papers

Audit Commission best value annual statement 2002: 'Changing Gear'

E. Contact details

Report author: Derrick Norton, MPA Best Value Manager.

For information contact:

MPA general: 020 7202 0202
Media enquiries: 020 7202 0217/18

Appendix 1

Appendix 1: pages 2-3 of 'Changing Gear' is available from the MPA.

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