Best Value – 2 years on Caroline Gardner Deputy Auditor General

The context Modernising government & public service reform A new Parliament ~ new systems & relationships Strategic direction of new Accounts Commission Modernising public audit Better public services

Best Value – more than 2 years on ….. Local Govt Act 1994 – duty to have regard to 3 E’s Best Value actually introduced in 1997 The Local Government in Scotland Act 2003 Links to Efficient Government agenda

The Local Government Act 2003 Best Value ~ continuous improvement ~ 3 E’s, equal opps & sustainability Public performance reporting and accountability Community Planning ~ duty across public sector New Power to Advance Well-being Ministerial and Statutory Guidance A “descriptive not prescriptive” regime

B.V. Characteristics in Statutory Guidance Commitment & leadership Responsiveness & consultation Sound governance (strategic, financial & operational) Sound management of resources Use of review and options appraisal Competitiveness, trading and discharge of functions Sustainable development (social, economic and environmental impact) Equal opportunities arrangements Joint working Accountability (public reporting)

What do we want the Audit to achieve? Provide independent assurance for citizens on a council’s response to the LGiS Act 2003 Contribute to a council’s efforts to improve service performance for local people Publish more integrated reports ~ a rounded picture Emphasise importance of elected members Collaborate with the Auditor General on Best Value across the rest of the public sector

Main features of the BV audit Local context Cyclical Corporate focus – all services Emphasis on performance & improvement Specialist team, with local auditor Draw on other scrutiny processes Selective tailored approach Published report No single score or label, no league table

Progress on the LG audit programme Angus DundeeMoray North Ayrshire East RenfrewshireHighland ShetlandArgyll & Bute StirlingGlasgow Inverclyde West Lothian Eilean Siar, West Dunbartonshire, Renfrewshire, East Ayrshire

Best Value in the best councils ….. Doing it for the right reasons Effective leadership – political and managerial Good corporate management Systematic performance management A focus on key priorities, communities & customers A culture of improvement is crucial

Things that need to be addressed….. Avoid the compliance culture Poor information on performance Weak links between policies, strategies, service plans & resources Implementing national priorities in a local context Lack of balanced and accurate public reporting Scrutiny, challenge and options appraisal The challenge of joint / integrated working

Performance Mgt – Current Picture Councils have been slow to develop systematic performance management arrangements which provide a comprehensive picture of performance across all services. Public performance reporting is generally weak and tends to focus on positive messages. SPIs dominate in a number of Councils Improvements in monitoring service developments / projects Day to day activities still weak in many areas

Corporate PPR approach Stronger Weaker Info on services provided and access Info on joint working to meet community needs Trends and comparisons Consultation results and how council will respond Spending, VfM, reducing waste, priorities Performance improvement, impact, future targets Allowing stakeholders a clear view of overall performance Systematic approach across whole council

PPR in services Stronger Info on charges, eligibility, access, etc. Key stakeholders identified Service standards Concise and understandable presentation BV Review, PMP, EFQM results included Equality issues addressed Best means to communicate identified Info on meeting key objectives

PPR in services Weaker Info on meeting user needs Costs, efficiency and VfM Continuous improvement processes Consultation results and how they will be used Whether previous performance improvement targets met Targets for future performance improvement Trend information to show how service is changing Showing how service compares with others

Contact Audit Scotland 110 George Street Edinburgh Tel Fax