Purpose: For Decision
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Committee: |
EXECUTIVE |
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Date: |
8 OCTOBER 2002 |
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Title: |
PROPOSED PROGRAMME OF BEST VALUE REVIEWS FOR FUTURE
YEARS |
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DEPUTY LEADER OF THE COUNCIL |
SUMMARY/PURPOSE
To decide the order of priority for the future
programme of Best Value reviews, subject to any changes necessary following the
outcome of the Comprehensive Performance Assessment.
BACKGROUND
This paper follows new legislation which removes
the necessity for Best Value Authorities to review all of their services in a 5
year period. The following review topics have been put forward in the suggested
order using feed-back from the Liaison Committee and Select Committee
workshops, the Directors Group, Community Strategy consultation, and the
Performance Indicator traffic lights. The topics also reflect the priorities
being developed in the Corporate Plan. It is proposed to move away from a set
programme of reviews for individual years, and to work from a prioritised list.
Three or four reviews (depending on size and complexity) will be underway at
any time, and as each one finishes the next on the list will start.
OPTIONS
The precise issues for each review
to address will be decided by the relevant Appraisal Group at the scoping
stage, but generally the range of each review will be as broad as possible so
that all the cross-cutting aspects can be considered.
In
priority order, the suggested list of areas for review is:
(a) Procurement
This review would not
just be about purchasing, but could include all contracts and partnership
arrangements. In such a large area of expenditure, opportunities for efficiency
savings will be sought, along with the development of e-procurement. It has
been raised as an issue by our District Auditors.
(b) Planning
This is an area of high
public interest, and would cover Development Control as well as Planning Policy
and the wider impact of planning on the environment, tourism, economic
development and so on.
(c) Drug-related
crime
Drug-related crime is currently under consideration
by the external Drug and Alcohol Task group (under the Crime and Disorder
Partnership), following the BV Review of Crime and Disorder. It will also be
monitored, along with work on alcohol related issues, by the member Task Group
for Crime and Disorder, which will report back over a 6 month period to the
Fire and Public Safety Select Committee. To avoid duplication of effort, it is
not proposed to start a full Best Value Review at this stage, but to wait for
the outcomes from the initiatives above.
(d) Transport
This would cover the
broad area of public transport, which in many other reviews has been
highlighted as one of the top issues of concern to the public. The
re-inspection of highways, and outstanding items on the improvement plan, mean
that resources are not available to begin this review at the moment.
(e) Education
Inclusion
This would be a wide
ranging review, including the education of young people in care, and those who,
for a wide range of reasons, are excluded from mainstream schools.
(f) Homelessness
This is another area of
high concern. The recent inspection of homelessness, and the resulting
improvement plan, would make another review a duplication of effort. It is
proposed that the monitoring of the improvement plan can be used to indicate
whether a review is appropriate in 12 months time.
(g) Fire
service training
Fire Service Circular
4/2002 postponed the need to review fire service training until 2004-05. It
therefore remains on this list, although it may be removed at a later date
following the development of a national Integrated Personal Development System.
If
the suggested list were adopted, then the Procurement and Planning reviews
would be initiated this autumn, and begun in full in the New Year, along with
the second phase of Connecting with the Public.
RECOMMENDATIONS
To agree the prioritised order of Best Value reviews above, subject to
any amendments following the CPA.
Liaison
Committee reports and minutes.
Contact Point: Don Roe, Best Value Review Unit
(3687)
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ALAN KAYE Head of Paid Service |
PETER HARRIS Deputy Leader of the
Council |