PAPER D

Committee:     ENVIRONMENT AND TRANSPORT SELECT COMMITTEE

Date:               26 JUNE 2002

Title:               BEST VALUE ACTION PLAN (HIGHWAYS AND TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PLAN)

REPORT OF THE STRATEGIC DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE AND ENVIRONMENT SERVICES

SUMMARY/PURPOSE

To advise Members of the Best Value Action Plan (Highways and Transportation Improvement Plan).

BACKGROUND

1.        A Best Value Inspection was undertaken on the Highways and Transportation service and the report published in December 2001.

2.        The report assessed the Council as providing a poor service with poor prospects for improvement and raised serious concerns about the Council’s performance and capacity to improve.

3.        The report also contained a number of recommendations and identified issues that the Council would need to address.

4.        The Best Value Inspectors have confirmed that they will be re-inspecting Highways and Transportation in August 2002 (week commencing 12^th August).

5.        As a result of the Best Value Inspection Report, a comprehensive improvement plan for Highways and Transportation is currently being developed and implemented.

BEST VALUE ACTION PLAN

6.        The purpose of the Best Value Action Plan is to address the comments and recommendations made by the Best Value Inspectors and to provide a strategic framework for improvement. Areas to be covered by the Best Value Action Plan include:-

           (i)        Corporate and Departmental Vision, Objectives and Priorities.

           (ii)       The Department’s Working Style.

           (iii)       Service Strategies.

           (iv)      Staff Development with Corporate Initiatives.

           (v)       Performance Management.

           (vi)      Procurement.

           (vii)      Implementing Service Improvements.

A detailed programme of action points is contained in Appendix A.

Background Papers : Best Value Action Plan

M J A FISHER

Strategic Director

Corporate and Environment Services