Contact: Jenny Heath, ext 7402

1 Summary

1.1. This report encloses the draft of the Council's Best Value Performance Plan 2002/03 (BVPP).

1.2. The Council are required, by statute, to publish a Best Value Performance Plan. Following changes to the Best Value regime, with effect from 2002, the full BVPP (the appended document) is to be published by 30 June each year. In accordance with the Council's Constitution, the Council itself is required to approve the BVPP for publication and submission to the District Auditor.

2. Background

2.1. Following publication of the Governments White Paper, "Strong Local Leadership - Quality Public Services" earlier this year, changes were made to the publication requirements with regard to Best Value. Firstly, authorities are now required to produce and then circulate to all households, a summary of performance information. This was produced and circulated as a supplement to the Spring edition of Hampshire Now. Secondly, a full performance plan is required to be produced by 30 June.

3. Structure of the BVPP

3.1. The full BVPP contains the following information:

· Information about the Plan itself, including introductions by the Leader and the Chief Executive and its links to other plans.

· Updated performance information relating to the four strategic areas of crime and disorder and community safety, e-government, equalities and sustainable development.

· Details of the Best Value Review Programme, outcome of Year 2 Best Value Reviews and progress in implementing the improvement plans of Year 1 Reviews.

· Performance Measures

4. Preparation, approval and publication

4.1. The preparation of this year's plan has been particularly difficult despite a slightly extended timescale for publication of the full version. Alongside the extensive preparation work for this document, the same officers have been required, at very short notice, to respond to the new Government proposal - also outlined in the White Paper - to prepare a Comprehensive Performance Self-Assessment statement. All Council members have received a copy of this document and will understand the complex work involved. Hampshire were selected as a first tranche authority for this work which required immediate response at the very time when the BVPP also required preparation and drafting. Taken alongside the work associated with the Public Service Agreement submission (PSA) to Government this has imposed a very heavy burden of work.

4.2. In the circumstances, the enclosed draft BVPP still requires some refinement but in order to achieve publication by the due date of 30 June, it is necessary for the Council to approve its format at this meeting. It is, however, suggested that authority be given to the Leader and the Chief Executive, in consultation with the minority group leaders, to agree the final text for publication.

Recommendation

That the Council approve the draft BVPP 2002/03 for publication, subject to the Leader and the Chief Executive, in consultation with the minority group leaders, agreeing the final text.

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.

1. Records of meetings with departmental officers, held on file in the Chief Executive's Policy Unit

N.B. The list excludes:

1. Published works

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