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Best value is a statutory duty of the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003.
Officers and elected members have a key role in making sure North Lanarkshire is a best value council. We must have robust arrangements for:
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setting priorities;
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conducting our business;
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relating to the communities we serve;
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balancing the quality and cost of our services;
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demonstrating continuous improvement in our performance; and
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managing and reporting our performance.
We must regularly check how our services compare with others and that they are efficient, effective and economic. We must also be able to demonstrate commitment to the following characteristics:
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Commitment and leadership |
Competitiveness, trading and the discharge of authority functions |
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Responsiveness and consultation |
A contribution to sustainable development |
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Sound governance at a strategic, financial and operational level |
Equal opportunities arrangements |
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Sound management of resources |
Joint working |
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Use of review and options appraisal |
Accountability |
The best value audit
In 2006 and every three years thereafter Audit Scotland will carry out an audit to make sure we are complying with the Act. This audit will comprise submissions, assessments, and presentations followed by interviews with officials and members. The audit will conclude with an improvement plan agreed with the auditors.
Continuous improvement
We achieve continuous improvement through our performance management arrangements, initiatives, scrutiny and reviews. Best value service reviews are the main way we do this but there are also other types of reviews. These include internal and external audits, value for money audits, business change and scrutiny panel reviews.
General service improvement activities within departments, and quality accreditation schemes such as IIP and Charter Mark, also make a significant contribution to the continuous improvement of our services.
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