Best Returns

Best Value Guidance
for
Library Authorities in England

Exhibit 2

• the authority has defined national and local targets and standards and performance indicators, as a basis for measuring delivery and systems for regular monitoring
• the authority has self-critically compared its own performance with that of the top 25% of authorities
• the authority’s performance is in the top 25% against relevant and measurable government standards (or national best value performance indicators)
• the customer satisfaction levels for the service compare well to national satisfaction rates for the service
• it has evidence to show what comparisons it made with whom, and how it used those to shape its improvement plan
• the improvement plan should ensure that the authority will be among the top 25% of authorities within five years – both in terms of performance against relevant government standards and national performance indicators, and against the main critical success factors for good services
• it compared its services with those provided by private and voluntary organisations
• these comparisons informed challenges about what services to provide, who to provide them to, how much they should cost, and whether the current provider of the service is the best one

Source: Audit Commission, Seeing is Believing, 2000 (extract)