Contact: Jon Pittam, ext 7500

1 Summary

1.1 There will be a greater emphasis on value for money in the comprehensive performance assessment (CPA) in 2005.

1.2 The following decisions are sought:

· Cabinet note the likely inspection regime for value for money in the next CPA and the steps that may be needed to retain an excellent rating

· value for money considerations are formally built into procurement decisions and into the annual budget setting process

· Cabinet and Executive Members routinely and explicitly consider value for money considerations in their decision making

· best value and other reviews should demonstrate improvements in value for money and competitiveness

· approval of the proposed definition of value for money improvements and mechanisms to build these into the next three-year budget cycle.

2 Reason(s)

2.1 The County Council will need to build on its excellent assessment in CPA and ensure that value for money is closely linked with its budget decisions, in the same way as a close link with business plans and performance improvement has been built-in to budgets from 2003/04 onwards.

2.2 Efficiency savings will probably feature strongly in the next CPA as a consequence of Spending Review 2004 and the Gershon review of public service efficiency. There is a close link with value for money in determining how and where such savings should fall.

2.3 Value for money is a key component of the corporate strategy, especially aim 5, improving services.

3 Other options considered and rejected

3.1 Not applicable

4 Conflicts of interest declared by the decision maker or other Executive member consulted

4.1 Not applicable

5 Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee

5.1 Not applicable

6 Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent

6.1 Not applicable

Approved by: Date:

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Councillor T K Thornber