Best Value in Public Services
What's New?
We are looking closely at the need to complement the Updated Guidance and Toolkits published in 2006 by improving capacity and establishing, or reinforcing, knowledge management networks for continuous improvement amongst public service organisations. A recent sample survey of those organisations has shown that awareness of the Guidance is reasonably high, but that the Toolkits have not yet been widely used.
The survey also identified sustainable development as a key theme on which public service organisations are seeking greater clarification from the Scottish Executive to assist them in delivering their Best Value duty. In response, a consultative workshop was held in Edinburgh on 26 February 2007 to provide an opportunity for public service organisations to look at examples of practical experience and at any areas where further assistance or explanation is needed. The report from the workshop can be seen here.
We recently held a series of events around Best Value and equalities. These events focused on the Scottish Government's Equalities Impact Assessment Tool and discussion round those issues faced by public sector organisations. If you would like more information on these events follow this link.
The team would also be pleased to receive feedback on the current Guidance and Toolkits; additional case studies; and suggestions for further improvements: email Best.Value@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
Background
Since 2002, a non-statutory duty of Best Value has been placed upon those public service organisations in the Scottish Administration with Accountable Officers (Scottish Executive departments, Executive Agencies and NDPB's, follow link to the relevant sections of The Public Finance and Accountability (Scotland) Act 2000 which set out the functions of Accountable Officers).
This duty of Best Value was incorporated in the Memorandum to Accountable Officers from the Principal Accountable Officer of the Scottish Administration (the Permanent Secretary of the Scottish Executive).
In August 2005, the Minister for Finance & Public Service Reform issued a letter to all central government public service organisations in Scotland. This letter informed them of the Scottish Executive's decision not to legislate on Best Value for Central Government at this point: and of the Minister's desire to refresh and renew Best Value activity by consulting on the nature of the improved guidance, toolkits and knowledge management arrangements requested in the 2004 consultation.
A formal consultation on Best Value in Public Services took place from September to December 2005.
Updated Guidance to Accountable Officers and Secondary Guidance to Accountable Officers was published in May 2006 alongside a Self Assessment Questionnaire. A suite of 4 Toolkits offering additional practical links and case studies across all 9 Best Value characteristics were published in summer 2006.