2  Authority's Best Value Duty

2.1  The Service Provider acknowledges that:

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

(b)  the provisions of this paragraph 2 are intended to assist the Authority in discharging its Best Value Duty in relation to the Service; and

(c)  the provisions of this paragraph 2 shall apply in respect of the obligations of the Service Provider and the Authority concerning the Best Value Duty and the 1999 Act generally.

2.2  The Service Provider shall, throughout the Contract Period, but only to the extent of its obligations under this Contract, make arrangements to secure continuous improvement in the way in which the Service is provided, having regard to a combination of economy, efficiency and effectiveness.

2.3  The Service Provider 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 Performance Assessment or if applicable 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 Service, 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 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 of Transport;

(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 Service Provider or any Sub-Contractor or other sub-contractor at any meetings of the Authority at which the Service is to be discussed (but not, otherwise than in exceptional circumstances, more than [insert number]2in any one (1) year);

(b)  co-operating 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 Apparatus and areas connected to the Service;

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

(iii)  any Personnel.

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2 Authority to consider appropriate number.