(1)It is the duty of a local authority to make arrangements which secure best value.
(2)Best value is continuous improvement in the performance of the authority’s functions.
(3)In securing best value, the local authority shall maintain an appropriate balance among—
(a)the quality of its performance of its functions;
(b)the cost to the authority of that performance; and
(c)the cost to persons of any service provided by it for them on a wholly or partly rechargeable basis.
(4)In maintaining that balance, the local authority shall have regard to—
(a)efficiency;
(b)effectiveness;
(c)economy; and
(d)the need to meet the equal opportunity requirements.
(5)The local authority shall discharge its duties under this section in a way which contributes to the achievement of sustainable development.
(6)In measuring the improvement of the performance of a local authority’s functions for the purposes of this section, regard shall be had to the extent to which the outcomes of that performance have improved.
(7)In this section, “equal opportunity requirements” has the same meaning as in Section L2 of Part II of Schedule 5 to the Scotland Act 1998 (c. 46).