Scots set to extend Best Value

18 Sep 03
Best Value is being extended beyond local government to the rest of the public sector in Scotland, a Scottish Executive guidance document has disclosed.

19 September 2003

Best Value is being extended beyond local government to the rest of the public sector in Scotland, a Scottish Executive guidance document has disclosed.

While the move will not have the statutory backing that now applies to Best Value in local government, the same principles are being urged for the Scottish Executive, its executive agencies, non-departmental public bodies, the NHS and any other organisation that has an accountable officer designated under the terms of the Public Finance and Accountability (Scotland) Act 2000.

Martin Mathers, parliamentary and media officer for CIPFA Scotland, said: 'As local authorities have to work in partnership with many other members of the public sector, it makes sense that they are all singing from the same hymn sheet.'

He added it was a commonsense approach to extend Best Value, especially since health bodies and local authorities had a joint approach in the provision of free personal care for the elderly and worked to a similar regime.

The guidance acknowledges that, while the statutory duty of Best Value on local government is set in a different framework to the duty on accountable officers, the principles are applicable across the public sector.

Public bodies have been asked in the guidance to undertake a self-assessment of all their existing systems, processes, functions and activities according to core Best Value characteristics.

In Scotland, Best Value in local government was initially operated on a voluntary basis but now has statutory backing. Finance officers believe the approach in Scotland has been less prescriptive than in England but has worked well.

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