Best Value
Part 1 of the Local Government Act 1999 sets out the requirements
for Best Value authorities.
Best Value authorities are required to secure continuous
improvement in the way in which they exercise their functions,
having regard to economy, efficiency and effectiveness. These
requirements will be subject to a rigorous auditing and
inspection regime, with some of the scrutiny being conducted jointly
between the Audit Commission and her Majesty's
Inspector of Constabulary.
Best Value is about delivering commitments at the local level to
achieve these improvements.
(http://www.local-regions.detr.gov.uk/bestvalue/indicators/bvaudit/index.htm)
In terms of violent crime, the Government has issued
statutory guidance (http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/ppd/pru/statgde.htm)
asking every police authority to set a specific target for
reduction. Robbery falls into the violent crime category and
should therefore appear in Police authorities published targets
in the Best Value Performance Plan, published prior to the end
of March each year.
Any targets must be realistic. For robbery, the best value
performance indicator (no. 127) requires police authorities to set
and report on top quartile target (that is the top 25%) for violent
crime generally, but also specifically for robberies per 1,000
population. Local Authorities will be expected to set targets from
April 2001. For more detailed information about Best Value, visit
Best Value section at the Department for the Environment, Transport
and the Regions at http://www.local-regions.detr.gov.uk/bestvalue/indicators/bvaudit
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