Best Value Performance & Efficiency Sub-committee Of The Policy & Resources Committee - 26/01/2006

At a MEETING of the BEST VALUE SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 26th January 2006.

Present:-

BAILIE

COUNCILLORS

Councillor SHIMI, Convener, in the Chair.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I BEST VALUE REVIEW OF METHODS OF DEALING WITH DERELICT LAND AND PROPERTY IN DISREPAIR

There was submitted Report No 82-2006 by the Legal Manager updating the Sub-Committee on the progress of the Derelict Land and Property in Disrepair Working Group. The report provided examples of the issues dealt with by the Group.

The Convener and other members were pleased to note the list of improvements achieved in a short space of time.

The Sub-Committee noted the progress made so far, also noting that a further report would be brought to the Sub-Committee in twelve months time to give another update on progress.

II BEST VALUE REVIEW OF ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES FEES

There was submitted Report No 52-2006 by the Depute Chief Executive (Support Services) reviewing the level of service provided by the Architectural Services Division and determining whether efficiency savings could be identified resulting in a fee reduction. The report also considered the level of service provided by the Architectural Services Division to ensure best value when benchmarked with other Local Authorities and the private sector. The reduction in fees, effected by efficiency saving, would result in a collective saving of 280,000 to all other departments of the Council.

The Sub-Committee approved the following recommendations:-

(a) that Architectural Services fees be reduced by 5% across all disciplines and for all clients;

(b) that the Architectural Services hourly rates for time charges remain at the level set for 2004/05;

(c) that the service provided by Architectural Services be accepted as Best Value as demonstrated by the benchmarking evaluation carried out with other Local Authorities and the private sector;

(d) that a Best Value Review on Property Management be carried out after completion of the Asset Management Plan.

III REMIT OF THE SUB COMMITTEE

There was submitted Report No 87-2006 by the Chief Executive proposing a means by which the Sub Committee could fulfil its expanded remit in relation to Best Value and Efficient Government. The Policy and Resources Committee, at its meeting on 17th October 2005, had agreed a report on the Efficient Government programme. This contained two specific recommendations in relation to the Sub Committee's remit and frequency of meetings which were now being addressed.

The Sub Committee approved the following recommendations:-

(a) that two meetings per annum be scheduled for the Sub Committee to consider an overall assessment of progress and performance in relation to Best Value and Efficient Government.

(b) that the two meetings per annum referred to above should review assessment reports on overall performance of the Council, the Best Value Improvement Plan, Efficient Government and Best Value Reviews;

(c) that ad hoc meetings of the Sub Committee be called to consider specific reviews and exception issues in relation to Best Value and Efficient Government.

Jill SHIMI, Convener.