Part I of the Local Government Act 1999 imposes requirements on local authorities and other authorities (the best value authorities listed in section 1 of that Act) relating to economy, efficiency and effectiveness in exercise of their functions (Best Value). Section 4(1) of that Act confers a power on the Secretary of State to specify by Order best value performance indicators and standards. This Order specifies performance indicators by reference to which a best value authority’s performance in exercising functions can be measured. The Order also specifies standards in respect of particular functions and particular best value authorities.
The performance indicators specified in this Order apply in respect to the best value authorities specified in articles 3 to 9, 11 and 14 to 16 of the Order and in relation to authorities specified in those articles.
The performance standards specified in this Order apply in respect to the best value authorities specified in articles 10 and 13 and in relation to the best value authorities specified in those articles.
Article 3 and Schedule 1 to the Order refer to general indicators which apply in respect of all the functions of best value authorities listed in that Article.
Article 4 and Schedule 2 to the Order refer to community safety indicators which apply to the best value authorities specified in that Article in relation to their community safety function.
Article 5 and Schedule 3 to the Order refer to education indicators which apply to the authorities listed in that article in relation to their education function.
Article 6 and Schedule 4 to the Order refer to social services indicators which apply to the authorities listed in that article in relation to their social services function.
Article 7 and Schedule 5 refer to housing and related services which applies to the authorities listed in that article in relation to their housing function.
Article 8 and Schedule 6 to the Order refer to housing benefit and council tax benefit indicators which apply to the authorities listed in that article in relation to their housing benefit and council tax benefit function.
Article 9 and Schedule 7 to the Order refer to environmental services indicators which apply to the authorities listed in that article in relation to their environmental services function.
Article 10 and Schedule 8 to the Order refer to waste standards which apply to the authorities listed in that article in relation to their waste function.
Article 11 and Schedule 9 to the Order refer to transport indicators which apply to the authorities listed in that article in relation to their transport function.
Article 12 and Schedule 10 to the Order refer to planning indicators which apply to the authorities listed in that article in relation to their planning function.
Article 13 and Schedule 11 to the Order refer to planning standards which apply to the authorities listed in that article in relation to their planning function.
Article 14 and Schedule 12 to the Order refer to Environmental Health and Trading Standards indicators which apply to the authorities listed in that article in relation to their Environmental Health and Trading Standards function.
Article 15 and Schedule 13 to the Order refer to cultural services indicators which apply to the authorities listed in that article in relation to their cultural services function.
Article 16 and Schedule 15 to the Order refer to fire services indicators which apply to fire authorities in England and Wales.
Article 17 and Schedule 16 to the Order refer to a community legal service indicator which applies to the authorities listed in that article in relation to their community legal services function.
This Order refers to a number of documents which are relevant to the various performance indicators and performance standards. Details of how to obtain copies of those documents are set out below.
“Municipal Waste Management Strategies” was published by the DETR (1st March 2001). The document is available free of charge from DTLR, Free Publications, PO Box 236, Wetherby, West Yorkshire, LS23 7NB. The document is also available at; www.defra.gov.uk.
“Auditing Council Performance against the commission for Racial Equality’s Standard for local government—Racial equality means quality” compiled by Stella Dadzie and produced in association with the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham (1999) 112pp ISBN 1 85442 168 9. Cost £10. Copies can be obtained from Central Books, 99 Wallis Road, London E9 5LN, UK, telephone 0208 986 5488.
“Racial Equality means quality—a standard for racial equality for local government” (Revised 1998), England and Wales, 48pp ISBN 185442 161; cost £10. Copies can be obtained from Central Books, 99 Wallis Road, London E9 5LN, UK, telephone 0208 986 5448.
“The Special Educational Needs Code of Practice” can be obtained from the Department for Education and Skills by telephoning 0845 602 2260, quoting reference number 581/2001. It is also available at; www.dfes.gov.uk.sen.
“Best Value Performance Indicators 2001/2002” was published by the DETR (January 2001) and is available, free of charge, from DTLR Free Publications, PO Box 236, Wetherby, West Yorkshire, LS23 7NB. The document is also available at; www.dtlr.gov.uk.
“Government’s Standard Assessment Procedure for Energy Rating of Dwellings”, 1988 Edition. Copies can be obtained, free of charge, from the Enquiries Bureau, Building Research Establishment, Garston, Watford WD2 7JR.
“Race Relations Code of Practice in Rented Housing, for the elimination of discrimination and the promotion of equal opportunities” is available; cost £2.50 from; Central Books, 99 Wallis Road, London E9 5LN.
The “DETR consultation paper on Best Value Performance Indicators” was published in November 2001. This document is available free of charge from DTLR free publications, PO Box 236, Wetherby, West Yorkshire, LS23 7NB. The document is also available at; www.dtlr.gov.uk.
“Fire Service Circular 1985”, issued to fire authorities by the Home Office on 22 May 1985. Copies can be obtained, free of charge, from the Home Office, Room 636, Horseferry House, Dean Ryle Street, London.