35.1  Authority's Best Value Duty

35.1.1  The Contractor acknowledges that:

(a)  the Authority is subject to the Best Value Duty;

(b)  the provisions of this clause 35 (Best Value) are intended to assist the Authority in discharging its Best Value Duty in relation to the Services; and

(c)  the provisions of this clause 35.1.1 shall apply in respect of the obligations of the Contractor and the Authority concerning the Best Value Duty and the 1999 Act generally.

35.1.2  The Contractor shall, throughout the Contract Period, but only to the extent of its obligations in this Agreement, make arrangements to secure continuous improvement in the way in which the Services are provided, having regard to a combination of economy, efficiency and effectiveness.

35.1.3  The Contractor shall undertake or refrain from undertaking such actions as the Authority shall reasonably request to enable the Authority to comply with Part 1 of the 1999 Act, including:

(a)  complying with requests for information, data or other assistance made by the Authority in pursuance of its Best Value Duty including to:

(i)  assist the Authority in the Comprehensive Area Assessment;

(ii)  facilitate any inspection or audit undertaken by any Relevant Authority in connection with the Best Value Duty in respect of the Services, including any inspection undertaken with a view to verifying the Authority's compliance with its Best Value Duty pursuant to Sections 10 and 11 of the 1999 Act;

(iii)  facilitate the Authority preparing any statement in response to an Authority's auditor's report;

(iv)  assist the Authority in relation to any action taken by the Secretary of State;

(v)  enable the Authority to comply with any Direction given by the Department [         ];

(vi)  enable the Authority to report on the Best Value Performance Indicators; and

(vii)  complying with all requests by the Authority to procure the attendance of specific officers or employees of the Contractor or any Sub-contractor or other sub-contractor at any meetings of the Authority at which the Services are to be discussed (but not, otherwise than in exceptional circumstances, more than [insert number] in any one (1) Contract Year);

(b)  cooperating in audits and other Best Value Inspections;

(c)  permitting any Best Value Inspector, in connection with the exercise of his statutory powers and duties, at all reasonable times and upon reasonable notice, access to:

(i)  the [Properties];

(ii)  any document or data relating to the Services; and

(iii)  any Personnel.