Best Value At Bass CoastGovernment to continuously improve the services it provides to residents By Carol McCormack - 16th July 2002 - Back to News Bass Coast Shire Council recently adopted a revised Best Value program. The program was revised to meet the Council and the community’s changing needs and priorities. The changes also ensure the Best Value Program is delivered in the most efficient way. For example, the tourism review has been included with the economic development review to avoid community consultation duplication. In addition, the libraries review has been re-scheduled to coincide with the West Gippsland Regional Library review.
Best Value was introduced by the State Government as a method for local government to continuously improve the services it provides to residents and ratepayers. Each service is reviewed to ensure the community receives the best possible quality services with resources that are available.
"Basically Best Value reviews ascertain whether or not councils are providing the best value for money using the resources that they have and identify ways in which services can be improved," said Cr John Gains, Mayor of Bass Coast Shire Council.
All council services must be reviewed using Best Value principles by December 2005.
The following services are currently being reviewed at Bass Coast Shire Council:
· arts and culture
· building control
· plant management
· community relations
· waste management
· economic development and tourism
· organisational development
· information technology and records
The procurement review was completed in December 2001. Reviews for aged and disability services as well as governance will begin later in 2002.
"Some service improvements have already been identified and implemented through the consultative processes we undertake as part of Best Value reviews," said Cr Gains.
Cr Gains explained that an example was the procurement review. One of the outcomes of the review was the introduction of a purchasing card for smaller, low risk items. This means virtually instant payment for small businesses and has cut the financial processing costs for Council by approximately 50% on these purchases.
Through the reviews, Council must ensure that services;
· Have cost and quality standards
· Are responsive to community needs
· Are accessible to the people for whom they are intended
· Include ongoing consultation with the community
Bass Coast Shire Council’s Best Value program is reviewed annually. Any adjustments are reported to the Minister for Local Government and the community. Council’s Best Value program is available for public inspection at all of Council’s Customer Services Centres and on Council’s website at www.basscoast.vic.gov.au
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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