The Local Government (Best Value) Performance Plans and Reviews Order 1999

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order specifies the elements which best value authorities must include in their performance plans and reviews prepared pursuant to the provisions of sections 5 and 6 of Part I of the Local Government Act 1999 (Best Value).

Article 3 of the Order specifies the matters that best value authorities need to include in both their first performance plan for the financial year 2000 and every performance plan in subsequent years, with the exclusion of the requirements specified in sub-paragraphs (f) and (g) of this article, which will only apply in respect of the first performance plan.

Sub-paragraphs (f) and (g) of article 3 require best value authorities to provide, in the performance plan for the first year, a performance assessment and a comparison of that performance with other best value authorities by reference to certain Audit Commission indicators specified in Schedule 1 to the Order.

Article 4 of the Order specifies additional elements to those in article 3, which best value authorities need to include in their plans for the financial year 2001 and subsequent years. Article 4 includes several new requirements for best value authorities to summarise and compare various elements by reference to their performance in previous financial years or the performance of other best value authorities.

Article 5 of the Order specifies the dates for the preparation of best value reviews by best value authorities. Article 5(2) includes a separate requirement for fire authorities to conduct the first review of some of their functions by certain dates.

Article 6 of the Order sets out the elements that authorities need to incorporate into their reviews.

The Order extends to all best value authorities in England and to police authorities and fire authorities in Wales.

The Publication of Information Direction 1998, mentioned in article 1(2) of this Order, is available free of charge from the Performance Information Team, Audit Commission, 1 Vincent Square, London SW1P 2PN.