Best value reviews

Although best value authorities no longer have to review each of their functions every five years, we have decided to continue with this period for review in order to continuously improve our services. Every best value review should make a difference.

What is best value?

Best value is central to the government's agenda to modernise public services.

Under legislation, best value authorities - which include LFEPA, London borough councils, police authorities, county and district councils - must 'make arrangements to secure continuous improvement in the way in which they exercise their functions, having regard to a combination of economy, efficiency and effectiveness' [Local Government Act 1999].

Best value principles

There are four underlying principles to all best value reviews: we look at the way the service is currently provided and challenge the assumptions behind this; we consult with the providers and users (both internal and external) of the service to determine their needs and expectations; we compare the service with similar services provided by others to identify best practice and we evaluate the competitiveness of the service provision to ensure that we are achieving value for money. Equality and diversity issues are also a vital component throughout all reviews.

Who is responsible for the best value?

Our best value reviews are supported by a member of our Performance Audit and Review Team and led by the Head of the Service under review. The review is managed by a Project Board which should include representatives from outside the service under review.

How do we conduct a best value review?

We begin by conducting a diagnostic review to identify the key issues. This is then followed up with an in-depth review, which leads to the production of a final report. The report includes an action plan which details how the recommendations from the review will be implemented. Following a period of consultation with the trades unions, the results of the review are reported to the Authority.

As part of Best Value we must publish a Best Value Performance Plan. This tells you how we plan to carry out the statutory best value duty to secure continuous improvement in the services we provide. It tells you about our services, how we are performing, how far we achieved the targets we set ourselves and how we plan to improve our services in the future.

Completed best value review reports are presented to Members at Authority meetings for agreement. Please click on the reviews to go to the composite list of Authority reports in order to access the reviews. Please note also that progress on best value review recommendations are reported to the Best Value Panel.

Reviews in 2003/2004

Firefighting, fire stations and emergency cover - FEP618 [ PDF 516kb]
Borough structure and support services - FEP620 [ PDF 370kb]
Incident command support - FEP619 [ PDF 334kb]

Reviews in 2002/2003

Information Technology Services - FEP375 [ PDF 218kb]
Community Fire Safety - FEP390 [ PDF 333kb]
Democratic Services - FEP429 [ PDF 268kb]
Training - FEP404 [ PDF 1.3mb]
Recruitment and Selection - FEP469 [ PDF 507kb]

Reviews in 2001/2002

Fire safety regulation - FEP234 [ PDF 491kb]
Equalities - FEP299 [ PDF 361kb]
Non-pumping fleet - FEP298 [ PDF 398kb]
Procurement - FEP248 [ PDF 411kb]
Health and safety - FEP247 [ PDF 1.4mb]

Reviews in 2000/2001

Schools liaison - FEP26/A/B [ PDF 192kb]
Fire investigation - FEP73 [ PDF 146kb]
Personnel services - FEP118 [ PDF 513kb]
Communications and control - FEP81 [ PDF 273kb]
Organisation health - FEP119 [ PDF 209kb]
Public accessibility - FEP72 [ PDF 193kb]

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