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Performance management

Best Value

What is Best Value?

Best Value is a challenging performance framework, placed on local authorities by central government.  From 1 April 2000 all local authorities in England and Wales have a duty to provide their services according to the principles of best value.  This means that they must deliver their services to clear standards of cost and quality and by the most economic, efficient and effective means possible.

Under Best Value, each local authority in England and Wales must:

• Publish an annual Best Value Performance Plan (BVPP) describing their existing services and setting out targets for improvement; 
• Review all of their services and deliver continuous improvements

Each service review must show that the local authority has applied the four 'C's' of best value to the service, that is to say:

The 4C's

CHALLENGE - why and how the service is provided
COMPARE - performance with other service providers
CONSULT - local service uses, residents and businesses on their expectations about the service
COMPETE - the authority must show that it is competitive in comparison to other service providers and must decide which organisation is best placed to provide the service whether it is in the public, private or voluntary sector.

Using the 4 C’s, authorities must demonstrate that they are achieving continuous improvements in all of their services.  The Government has decided that each authority should be scrutinised by an independent Inspectorate, so that the public will know whether Best Value is being achieved.   Not only will this help the public to see how well the authority is doing, but it will also identify failing services where remedial action may be necessary and identify and disseminate best practice.

As such, Best Value is an important initiative that will have an impact on all the residents and businesses of the Borough

Feedback:
One of the primary aims of Best Value is to give the community a greater say in the way that services are delivered through increased participation and consultation.  It is vital that the community is involved in the process if Bedford is to make Best Value a success.  That’s why we want to hear your views.  Let us know what you think of this website, or the Council’s Best Value programme by completing the online form.

Navigating Best Value: 

• Best Value Inspections - See the results of independent inspections of Council services undertaken by the Best Value Inspectorate.
    
• Best Value Reviews - for an explanation of how reviews of our services are undertaken.  This page links to Bedford’s programme of Fundamental Service Reviews, providing summaries of the outcomes of completed reviews.
  
• Best Value Performance Plan - for an explanation of the purpose and aims of the Best Value Performance Plan.  Copies of the Plan and summary Plan can be downloaded.
    
• Our Performance - for an explanation of Performance Indicators and to find out how our national indicators for 2000/2001 compare. 
   
• Useful links - for details of who to contact at the Council with regard to Best Value and for links to other sites on the web which contain Best Value Information.  

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