Contact: Jenny Heath, Best Value Project Manager, ext 7402

1 Summary

1.1 The following decisions are sought:

· That the revised outcome template be adopted

· That a brief report containing summarised Year 1 review outcomes be taken to the November Cabinet meeting.

· That a further report be taken to Cabinet on proposals to convert the current Best Value arrangements into an integrated performance management approach.

2 Reasons for the recommendations

· To comply with the request for information made at the Best Value and Performance Sub-committee at its meeting on 26 February 2001

· To make provision for consideration of performance information within the development of policies and plans.

3 Other options considered and rejected

To be presented in future reports mentioned above.

4 Conflicts of interest declared by the decision maker, or a member or officer consulted

None

5 Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee

Not applicable

6 Reason for matter being dealt with, if urgent

Not applicable

Approved by: Date:

7 Background

7.1 A report was taken to the last meeting of the Best Value and Performance Sub-Committee on 26 February 2001, summarising the outcomes of the first year Best Value reviews. Concerns were raised about:

· the need for a standard presentation of the information

· gaps in information in certain of the reviews presented

· the effectiveness of the Best Value process in delivering service improvements, proportionate to the resources invested.

7.2 Since that time a number of events have taken place within the county council which impact on the way such information is presented to Members for consideration:

· Agreement to a standard presentation format by the Leader of the County Council

· Modernised political structures which have an impact on the processes for reporting

· Approval by Cabinet to establish a Performance Management Team, within the Chief Executive's Policy Unit, which will review the current performance management framework and its effectiveness in delivering Best Value and service improvements.

7.3 Nationally, the government are also looking at streamlining Best Value and an announcement will be made during the week ending 19 October 2001 about the new White Paper on Local Government.

7.4 This report makes recommendations to the Cabinet, which aim to promote a performance-focused culture within the county council. The purpose is to build upon the good practices, developed to meet the requirements of Best Value and recognised by the District Auditor in the first two positive audit reports, while keeping bureaucracy to a minimum.

8 Presentation of review outcomes

8.1 A brief summary of the Year 1 review outcomes will be presented to Cabinet at its meeting at the end of November, to meet the Best Value and Performance Sub-committee request for information.

8.2 A template is attached at Appendix 1 which will be used to summarise the outcomes of Best Value Reviews. In drawing up this template, the aim has been to eliminate unnecessary paperwork and duplicated effort by using the same document to inform Members and to contribute to the Best Value Performance Plan.

8.3 The performance plan summarises and analyses the county council's performance both in specific service areas and overall. It is, therefore, a key document for the council and has been closely aligned with the Corporate Strategy. There are national moves to rationalise the statutory content of performance plans, which in future may encourage the development of leaner documents which can give a clearer emphasis on areas for improvement. The sister report on this agenda outlines the content of this year's performance plan.

9 Changes to the Political Process

9.1 There are two aspects to Member consideration of the outcomes of Best Value Reviews:

· The involvement of Portfolio Holders and Policy Review Committee Members in agreeing the outcomes and improvement plans related to individual reviews

· The need for Cabinet to take stock of overall performance across the county council in determining its priorities for future policies and plans

9.2 As Best Value Reviews are concluded, Policy Review Committees make recommendations to the relevant Cabinet Portfolio Holder, accompanied by an Improvement Plan to implement the recommendations. This means that individual portfolio holders will already be up-to-date with the outcomes of individual reviews.

9.3 Policy Review Committees will also monitor progress with Improvement Plans each year in January, so that progress can be reported publicly in the Best Value Performance Plan. This process will include consideration of any recommendations following Inspection Reports.

9.4 As an executive body, Cabinet will require regular reports on the county council's overall performance. These will identify trends, patterns of achievement or difficulty and by exception, significant or sensitive review outcomes. This will happen annually as part of the system to report on performance in the Best Value Performance Plan and to review priorities and targets in the Corporate Strategy.

10 Performance Management

10.1 A report with proposals for establishing a performance management team within the Chief Executive's Policy Unit was taken to the Shadow Cabinet on 1 August 2001 and formally approved by Cabinet on 11 September 2001. Arrangements are currently underway to recruit staff to the new posts, which will effect the transition from the pilot Corporate Best Value Team to an integrated Performance Management Team.

10.2 Once this team is in place, another report will be made to Cabinet outlining proposals to integrate Best Value into day-to-day operations and to rationalise the Best Value processes, in light of the lessons learnt to date. In particular it is anticipated there will be:

· a new approach to the review programme

· proposals to focus resources on areas where greatest improvements can be made.

Recommendations

1 That the revised outcome template be adopted.

2 That a report containing summarised Year 1 review outcomes be taken to the November Cabinet meeting.

3 That a further report be taken to Cabinet on proposals to convert the current Best Value arrangements into an integrated performance management approach.

Section 100D - 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.

Correspondence between the Leader of the County Council and the Corporate Best Value Team, concerning the standard template. Held on file by the Corporate Best Value Team.

N.B. The list excludes:

1. Published works

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