§ Mrs. BallardTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the representativeness of councils chosen to pilot best value. [21641]
§ Mr. RaynsfordOver 150 bids to pilot best value were assessed by an Evaluation Panel comprising representatives of local and central government, the Government Offices of the Regions, Trade Unions, the private sector, and the Audit Commission, supported by a research team from the Warwick Business School. The aim of that assessment was to ensure that the pilot programme tested the provisional Best Value framework under a wide variety of different circumstances. The Evaluation Panel's recommendations were accepted in full.
§ Mrs. BallardTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to inform those councils that did not become pilot councils of the progress of best value and of the experiences of pilot councils. [21642]
§ Mr. RaynsfordA research contract has been let with the Warwick Business School of the University of Warwick to evaluate the Best Value pilot programme and disseminate information flowing from it. Dissemination will include a series of good practice papers on different aspects of the process, as well as a self diagnosis framework and a web site. A series of regular events will also be arranged to bring together the pilots and other authorities so as to enable them to share experience.