Best Value and the Comprehensive Area Assessment (CPA)

Best Value is a key element of the Government's programme for Local Government.  The legislative framework in place requires Local Authorities to make arrangements to secure continuous improvement in the quality of public services and in the way that they carry out their functions, striking the best possible balance between effectiveness, efficiency and economy.

The Best Value requirements for Local Authorities fall under the following key headings:

•  Consultation - central to Best Value is an expectation that there will be a greater focus on consultation with users and other stakeholders to establish the need for services and subsequently as part of measuring and monitoring performance

•  Inspection - all functions are subject to inspection under Best Value.  These inspections will take, as a starting point, the Local Authority's own assessment of its performance and any action it plans to take to improve service delivery.

The Local Authority's Project has been developed as a part of a strategic review of the housing service taking account of feedback the Local Authority received from [insert relevant sources of feedback from user surveys etc.]. This work confirmed the concerns about the delivery of the service, and the procurement of the Project through a long-term/PFI contract is considered to be the most appropriate way for the Local Authority to meet its Best Value Duty for this service.

Further information about Best Value, including the OBC for the Project and other documentation arising from the Local Authority's most recent Best Value Review, relevant CLG Guidance, and the relevant indicators is included on the Collaborative Website for the Project [available for inspection in the Data Room].