BEST VALUE REVIEW OF THE COUNCIL'S CORPORATE AIM "ACHIEVING ECONOMIC PROSPERITY"

1. The Cabinet has examined the findings of the Best Value Review of the corporate aim of achieving economic prosperity and the Internal Review Team's recommendations for improvement, and of the subsequent Audit Commission inspection. It has approved a number of organisational initiatives and the detailed contents of an Improvement Plan aimed at driving forward the corporate aim. Both the Review and the Audit Commission inspection highlighted some of the Council's successes in working to improve Hampshire's economy and indeed the Audit Commission rated the Council's service as "good" (the second highest category). Nonetheless it has become clear that the Council could do even better with improved corporate processes and the development of the policies and actions set out in the Improvement Plan. These include (inter alia) strengthening cross-departmental working, driving corporate aims into departmental service plans, consolidation of arrangements for the involvement of Executive Members and local Members in economic development and regeneration, and improving relations with the business community. The Cabinet will also receive regular reports on the economy of Hampshire and the operation of the County Council's policies in this area.

2. Further details of these initiatives are available from the Head of Economic Development.

T.K. THORNBER, CBE

Chairman

5nR741102