Performance Review Committee
12 February 2008
Item No
Best Value Review Process – Progress to Date
Report by Sally Reid, Head of Performance and Human Resources
1
Purpose of Report
This report provides a progress update against all Best Value reviews that have
been undertaken since the Best Value Review Process was introduced in 2004.
2
Report Summary
Since the Best Value Review Process was approved in November 2004, 11
Best Value Reviews have been undertaken, and a further two are scheduled to
take place as part of the latest phase of reviews. The Process was updated in
June 2007, in line with the Council’s Project Management Framework.
While no reviews have officially been completed, three are at the point where
final reports could be submitted, requesting closure.
3
Recommendations
Performance Review Committee is recommended to: a)
b)
Note the progress of each Best Value Review undertaken to date
Request final reports from the three reviews which have fully
implemented their business cases, to be prepared by service managers in
the absence of the original review Chair
1 February 2008
2
4
Report Implications
4.1
Resource Implications
There are no additional resource implications arising directly from this report.
4.2
Risk Implications
By maintaining an overarching view of the progress of reviews under the Best
Value Review Process, it is possible to ensure that the full procedure is
followed, and that reviews are seen through to their conclusion. In this way,
the effectiveness of the process can be ensured.
4.3
Policy Implications
Strategy
This report supports delivery of the Best Value Review Process, which itself
contributes to delivery of the Council’s Best Value Strategy. Best Value is
also one of the organisation’s corporate values.
Consultation
No consultation has been carried out to inform this report.
Equalities
There are no equalities implications arising from this report.
Sustainability
This report will contribute to ensuring the sustainability of the Best Value
Review Process, which in turns aids in the delivery of sustainable services.
Report Contact: Kathryn Henry
Tel No 0131 271 3445
Background papers: File PPT\Best Value\Best Value Reviews
3
5
Report Background and Appendices
5.1
Background
The Council’s Best Value Review Process has been in place since November
2004 and the third phase of reviews is currently underway.
The process guidance has been updated twice since it was endorsed in 2004,
most recently in June 2007 to reflect the Project Management Framework in
place within the Council. An overview of the current process is included at
appendix 1.
The table at Appendix 2 shows progress details for each of the 11 Best Value
Reviews which have been undertaken, and makes note of the additional two
service areas which have been agreed for review. Key dates are included, as
well as a note of the current stage of each review, in line with the Best Value
Review Process.
As yet, no reviews have been formally completed. The information presented
here, however, shows that three are at the point where a final report should be
submitted to PRC outlining the outcomes resulting from implementation of the
business case, and requesting that the review be closed. According to the
Process, it should be the Review Chair who submits this report to PRC in
conjunction with the Policy and Performance Team. However, where the
officer or elected member who chaired a review is no longer in post, it is
recommended that the manager of the service subject to review prepare the
report, with the support of the Policy and Performance Team. This report
would then be circulated around the members of the original review team who
are still at the Council, and then submitted to PRC for approval.
4
5.2
Appendix 1: Overview of BVR Process
STAGES
KEY STEPS
Appendix 2: Overview of progress to date of Best Value Reviews
Review Title
Phase 1
5.3
Scope
Approved
Business Case
to PRC
Business Case
to Cabinet
Commercial
Services Support
Services
16/03/05
13/09/05
04/10/05
MIDCON
16/03/05
No business case
produced. Final
report to PRC
31/08/05 detailing
recommendations.
Final report:
20/09/05.
Domiciliary Care
16/03/05
23/11/05
13/12/05
Community
Learning and
Development
16/03/05
11/10/05
15/11/05,
followed by
seminar of
Cabinet on
22/08/06
Economic
Development
16/03/05
13/09/2005. And
again 01/02/2006
07/03/2006
Progress Reported
Current Stage
Comment
Six-month progress report
to PRC (29/03/06) stated
that 8 actions were
completed, and remaining
16 were on target for
completion.
As there was no BC, review
team did not report back to
PRC after 6 months.
Recommendations included
in performance reports for
monitoring.
04/04/06 and 20/03/07
reports to Cabinet by
division. Actions monitored
through performance
reports.
Progress reported to CMT
in Oct 06. Actions included
in divisional performance
report.
Progress Report: At
Q3 07/08, only 4
actions remain
uncompleted, but are
on target for
completion by 31/3/08.
N/A: All actions
complete.
Once all actions are complete
a final report should be
submitted requesting closure
of the review.
Final Report: All
actions now
completed.
Report should be submitted
to PRC outlining outcomes
of Business Case
implementation and
requesting closure of BVR.
All possible actions now
completed. Report should be
submitted to PRC outlining
outcomes of Business Case
implementation and
requesting closure of BVR.
To PRC on 8/11/2006,
outlining savings to date of
£113k.
Progress Report: 11
of the 24 actions have
been completed, 11 are
on target for
completion 31/3/08. 2
Final Report: At Q3
07/08 all actions
completed, except one
which related to
leisure trust decision.
As this review did not result
in a business case, there are
no further reporting
requirements.
6
Phase 3
Phase 2
Review Title
Scope
Approved
Business Case
to PRC
Business Case
to Cabinet
Progress Reported
Third Party
Payments
26/10/05
N/A
N/A
N/A
Council
Secretariat
09/11/05
31/05/2006
13/06/2006
Business Case
not approved.
N/A
Income from
Charges
09/11/05
08/11/2006 and
14/02/2007
28/11/2006 and
20/03/2007
To PRC 09/10/07.
Education
Attainment
Corporate
Competitiveness
Communications
and Advertising
Meals on Wheels
Environmental
Health
09/10/07
N/A
N/A
N/A
13/11/07
N/A
N/A
N/A
13/11/07
N/A
N/A
N/A
Postponed
Postponed
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Current Stage
are off target.
Option Appraisal:
Reports have been
submitted to PRC as
available.
Investigation: Review
team asked to re-visit
investigation by
Cabinet.
Progress Report:
Corporate Charging
Strategy being
prepared, and SubGroup established to
look at community
group leases.
Information
Gathering
Information
Gathering
Information
Gathering
N/A
N/A
Comment
Scope of review tightened to
look at 10 areas (PRC report
21/06/06).
Scoping for Process
Improvement work being
considered. New Chair
appointed to review.
Progress update to be
reported to PRC March 2008
Progress update to be
reported to PRC March 2008
Progress update to be
reported to PRC March 2008