Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority Item 8

26 September, 2001

Establishment Of A Best Value Committee

Report of the Clerk

Contact: Kelvin Ridout. Ext: 7356.

1 Summary

At its meeting on 27 June, 2001, the Authority appointed a Best Value Steering Group. However, to reflect its importance it is proposed to make it a formal Committee of the Authority. This report sets out the suggested terms of reference and other proposals for the working of the new Committee. They have been supported by the Best Value Steering Group at its meeting on 10 September, 2001.

2 Terms of Reference

It is recommended that the terms of reference for the Best Value Committee be as follows:

· To participate in, determine and undertake a programme of Best Value reviews with a view to effecting continuous improvements in the way services are delivered, having regard to a combination of economy, efficiency and effectiveness.


· To receive reports and information from officers, members, organisations and individuals as required by the Committee to further its work, and to interview members, officers, staff and comparable organisations as appropriate.


· To monitor and review policy, decisions and the service delivery issues referred by the Authority.


· To identify and make recommendations on any cross-cutting issues in order to optimise the use of resources and improve service delivery.


· To oversee and co-ordinate the preparations of the Authority for Best Value and compliance with relevant legislative requirements.


· To monitor the programme of Best Value reviews.


· To consider reports on the outcome of reviews and the relevant recommendations and to monitor their implementation on a regular basis.


· To agree the annual Best Value Performance Plan on behalf of the Authority and arrangements for its publication.


· To appoint member(s) to individual Best Value Reviews.


· To recommend specific actions to secure Best Value for the Authority's services.


· To review performance, budgets and the implementation of the Authority's policies in such areas as the Committee might determine (or be required by the Authority to review) and to formulate recommendations for consideration by the Authority for:-


(i) Effective performance improvement, and/or


(ii) The reduction or redeployment of expenditure so as more effectively to meet the Authority's objectives for the delivery of services to the public.

3 Membership (7)

Councillors: D.A. Kirk (Chairman)
Mrs. E.S.M. Barron
M.F. Cartwright
K. Chapman
M. Gausden
P. Russell
G. Semmens

The above Membership as approved by the Authority on 27 June, 2001 is in accordance with the present political proportionality of the Authority.

4 Meetings

Union representatives have in the past been invited to attend meetings of the Best Value Steering Group. It is proposed to continue this practice for the new Committee. Also, with the permission of the Chairman, the union representatives will be given the opportunity to speak on any agenda item.

Meetings will be held as and when required by the Committee and will be serviced by the Clerk to the Authority.

5 European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act 1998

The proposals within this report are compatible with the provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act 1998.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

(i) That the Best Value Committee be established as a formal Committee of the Authority.

(ii) That the above terms of reference be adopted.

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:

Published works.

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

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