What is Best Value?
Best Value arrangements exist to secure continuous improvement in the performance of functions by public service organisations. Continuous improvement seeks to balance quality and cost considerations, and is achieved with regard to economy, efficiency, effectiveness, the equal opportunities arrangements, and sustainable development.
Best Value is structured around the following key principles:
- Commitment and leadership
- Responsiveness and consultation
- Sound governance arrangements at strategic, financial & operational levels
- Sound management of resources
- Use of review and options appraisal
- Competitiveness, trading and the discharge of authority functions (specific to Best Value in Local Government)
- Accountability
- Joint working
- Sustainable development
- Equal opportunities
Best Value Team
What we do
Refresh and develop Best Value policy as part of the wider public service reform agenda
How we do this
- Promote Best Value within local government including learning from Best Value audits and leading on Ministerial intervention issues.
- Actively work with authorities, Audit Scotland, COSLA, SOLACE and the Improvement Service on the review of statutory performance indicators.
- Develop guidance and toolkits for Best Value in Public Services, supported by an internal project board, and external reference group to ensure our work is tied into Efficient Government, public service reform and the work of Changing to Deliver Unit within the Executive.