HC Deb 03 December 2001 vol 376 cc18-20W
Andrew George

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) what assessment he has made of the relative success of best value performance indicators which depend on the measurement of(a) inputs, (b) outputs and (c) outcomes; [19275]

(2) which of the best value performance indicators (a) apply to the Council of the Isles of Scilly and (b) do not apply because of (i) its size, (ii) its geographical location and (iii) other reasons; [19372]

(3) which of the best value performance indicators measure (a) inputs, (b) outputs and (c) outcomes; [19274]

(4) what assessment he has made of the applicability of best value indicators to local authorities, with particular reference to size of authority. [19285]

Dr. Whitehead

The Best Value Performance Indicators have been designed to provide a rounded view of local government's performance. They reflect the resources devoted to the different services, the efficiency with which those resources are used, the quality of the services and service users' experience. They therefore include a mix of indicators which measure inputs, outputs and outcomes; the intention is to rely increasingly on outcome indicators whenever these can be clearly identified. The number of indicators against which an authority is required to report depends on the nature of an authority and the number of services it delivers. For 2001–02 unitary and metropolitan authorities are required to report performance on up to 123 indicators while for district councils the maximum number of indicators is 68. These will be reduced for 2002–03.

The Best Value Performance Indicators provide valuable information about the performance of individual authorities and enable local people to view the performance of their own authority alongside that of similar authorities. They will also track performance changes over time. Once best value performance plans are published in 2002 it will be possible to assess change over the two years that best value has been in place.

The Council of the Isles of Scilly is required to report on those services which it provides to local people. I understand that the Council has agreed to design a set of indicators appropriate to its circumstances, and will need to discuss these with the District Auditor.

Andrew George

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what timetable he has set for implementing the results of his review of the operation of best value for local government. [19273]

Dr. Whitehead

The Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions announced on 1 October a three month review of the best value regime for local authorities aimed at improving the quality of services. A review group, under the chairmanship of the Minister for Local Government and the Regions, has been set up to take this work forward. The review group has been asked to report to the Secretary of State by the end of this year. The Secretary of State will consider its report early in the new year and respond to its recommendations. The timetable for implementing any measures announced in his response will depend on their nature, but the intention is to act as quickly as possible ahead of the 2002–03 financial year.

Mr. Moss

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what was the estimated cost in the latest available year of the best value regime to(a) central Government Departments, (b) local government, (c) fire authorities and (d) non-department public bodies and executive agencies. [19892]

Dr. Whitehead

(a) For the financial year 2001–02, £1,751,000 has been allocated for administrative costs associated with best value in central Government.

(b) £52 million has been allocated in 2001–02 by DTLR to cover the cost of best value audit and inspection in England. £21.7 million of this will be paid as grant to the Audit Commission and the remainder has been distributed through the Revenue Support Grant to cover the cost of audit fees charged to local authorities. No reliable estimates exist as to the other administrative costs incurred by authorities in complying with their duty under the Local Government Act 1999.

(c) Fire authorities precept from county councils and are thus included in the figures.

(d) The Audit Commission is the only NDPB with a formal role in best value. Their costs are met by DTLR as indicated.