Best Value

The Duty of Best Value

The Local Government Act 1999 defines the duty of Best Value in the following way:

'A best value authority must make arrangements to secure continuous improvement in the way in which its functions are exercised having regard to a combination of economy, efficiency and effectiveness'

Best Value aims to make public bodies like the council more open to the opinions and ideas of local people on how services should be developed to meet local needs. Best Value applies to all functions of the council and aims to ensure that local council's are engaged in delivering services which are relevant to local people's lives.

In order to deliver continuous improvements in quality and value for money of local services, we must challenge what we currently do; compare our performance to other providers (public or private); consult local people and other stakeholders about their needs and aspirations; and ensure that services are competitive with the best available.

The Challenge, Compare, Consult and Compete elements of the review (described above) are the government's 4 C's of Best Value.

Between January 2000 and December 2002, we embarked on a 5 year rolling programme to review our services, through the process of Best Value Reviews.

From January 2003 the council moved away from service based reviews to cross-cutting, theme based reviews, in order to focus on delivering bigger and wider reaching improvements.

This approach enables the council to look at key issues broadly, to think creatively about what will make a difference to our citizens, identifying the linkages between the different services provided by the council and or by other providers and partners.

In 2003 the council concentrated on reviewing and improving its performance in relation to Procurement practice across the authority and Regenerating the Local Economy. Both of these have been completed.

We are undertaking a review of its Landlord Services in 2004 and will plan future reviews in line with Comprehensive Performance Assessment recommendations and priorities, necessary for service improvements.

Contact

Nazli Choudhary

Policy and Review Officer

Performance and Delivery

Civic Centre

Rainham Road North

Dagenham

RM10 7BN

Tel: 020 8227 2160

Fax: 020 8227 5184

Email: nazli.choudhary@lbbd.gov.uk|