Performance management

Best Value Performance Plan

Best Value Performance Plan Introduction

What is a Performance Plan?
Local authorities are required to publish, and make accessible to the whole community, an annual Best Value Performance Plan (BVPP) by 30 June each year. The Plan is the principle means by which local authorities show that they are answerable to the local community for the quality and effectiveness of their services. Each Best Value Performance Plan sets out a programme of Best Value Service Reviews and performance targets for forthcoming years.

The BVPP provides the authority with the opportunity to engage with local people and others with an interest. The plan is a public statement, a summary of the local authority’s performance at the time at which it is published.

What should you expect to find in the Best Value Performance Plan?
The Performance Plan explains the priorities of the Council and how it intends to improve the delivery of its services. Every Best Value Performance Plan must include clear statements about:

what services an authority will deliver to local people
how it will deliver them;
to what levels services are currently being delivered;
what level of service the public should expect in future years; and
what action the authority will take to deliver those levels of service.

External Auditor's Report on the Best Value Performance Plan
The BVPP reports to the public on targets, standards and plans and the Council’s performance against these. Once a year the Council must publish performance indicators that tell you how well it performs a number of jobs. The Government and the Audit Commission (the Government’s financial watchdog) set these performance indicators together with some that the Council sets itself to reflect specific local priorities.

To ensure that the information that the Council provides in the Plan is correct and to reassure the public that the Council’s targets for improvement are achievable, an independent audit of the Plan is conducted each year.

The Council would like the Plan to be the basis of an ongoing dialogue with the community. A chance to comment on the Councils plans and targets is offered in a summary version of the Plan which is circulated to all households in the Borough by 31 March each year. Alternatively click on feedback to e-mail the Council directly with your comments.

To download copies of the Performance Plan and Summary Performance Plan in adobe pdf click on the links below. Alternatively, if you would like a hard copy of the Bedford Borough Council’s Performance Plan, copies are available from Council offices, local libraries and also from your local ward Councillor. If you require an audio version of the Plan or a translation of the Plan into another language please contact:

Best Value and Performance Review Manager
Bedford Borough Council
Town Hall
St. Paul's Square
Bedford
MK40 1SJ

To view the Best Value Performance Plans in pdf format please click below: