Contact: Mr Paul Turner - ext. 6057

1. Summary

1.1. The Audit Commission Best Value Inspectorate (BVIS) presented its initial report "The Interim Challenge" at a meeting with Members, Officers and the Best Value Review Team on 18 July 2001. The BVIS have now issued the full draft report of their inspection and the County Council has until 21 September 2001 to make a formal response.

2. Response to The Interim Challenge

2.1. The Corporate Best Value Team and the Review Team Leader will meet to prepare a response which will include:-

(a) comments on factual accuracy


(b) comments on appropriateness of judgment, findings and recommendations


(c) comments on the balance and tone of the report

2.2. Following receipt of the County Council's formal response to the BVIS draft report, the BVIS will issue its final report. At that stage, the County Council will issue its formal public response.

3. Input of the Policy Review Committee to the Library Review

3.1. The Chairman of the Committee is concerned that the Committee has the opportunity
to consider the BVIS report before conclusions are drawn and the County Council makes its public response.

3.2. The Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Committee together with Councillors Waddington and Mrs Leversha, the County Librarian and the Review Team Leader are to meet to consider the library inspection on 11 October 2001.

4. Timetable

4.1. It had been expected that the Library Review would be considered by this Committee on 11 October 2001. Publication of the final BVIS report will be later than anticipated and the Library Review will now be considered by this Committee at its November 2001 meeting.

RECOMMENDATION

That the report be noted.

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background papers

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

NB the list excludes:

1 Published works.

2 Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.

4AR74901