Effective Management and Best Value Practices for Managers and Teams

Best Value: Slides for managers and teams

What is Best Value? Detailed scrutiny audit process. Audit Scotland describes Best Value as ensuring that there is good governance and effective management of resources, with a focus on improvement, to deliver the best possible outcomes for the public. We haven t had an audit in the new style, but from here on it is expected it will happen roughly once every five years.

What is Our Story A public, corporate document which tells the story of Aberdeenshire Council. It captures who we are, where we re going, created with detailed input from teams across the Council Tells our story from previous audit in 2008 and a light touch review in 2013. Supported by an evidence bank. It is all at the dedicated website we have created: https://ourstory.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/

What will the auditors be looking at? There are five themes that we know they will be wanting to see: 1. Vision and strategic direction 2. Performance 3. Use of resources 4. Partnership working 5. Improvement and transformation.

What are our key messages? We re a steady and trusted organisation; There s a strong sense of place reflected across our diverse communities; We know our strengths and where we need to improve; We recognise the growing demands on our services and our Medium- Term Financial Strategy supports this work; We work well in partnership and recognise collaboration will help us to manage the difficult times ahead; We know that our approach to reporting and monitoring performance needs to become more firmly embedded; We recognise the importance of political and executive leadership in helping us to achieve outcomes.

What will the audit process involve? Our Story, the narrative, has been sent to the auditors, with the evidence to support it. Providing them links to the microsite (https://ourstory.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/) They will scrutinise our own evidence and the national evidence (Ie Local Government Benchmarking Framework). They will then begin fieldwork sessions, meeting with partners officer and councillors. The dates are to be agreed and not yet clear who they will want to speak to.

What do we need from the wider team? We need to be sure that everyone at every level understands how their day-to-day role feeds into priorities and performance. No-one will be just cornered for an interview. If the auditors want to speak to any of our teams, we will know in advance and people will be asked to participate. If you are being interviewed or part of a focus group, you will be supported with detailed information. We need as many people as possible to get themselves up to speed with our story and our performance.

What happens after the audits? Audit Scotland will take time to scrutinise the results of the fieldwork and compile a report, final sign off is expected by The Accounts Commission in October. It will not be a pass/fail but a report which suggests our strengths and areas for improvement. Next time we get a BV audit, they will likely focus on the results of this, to make sure we are making improvements. Areas of strength are for us all to be proud of. A good audit is our external endorsement that Aberdeenshire Council is doing the right things, in the right way and making a difference to our communities.

More info Microsite is live and has more information (https://ourstory.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/ ) Service Reps: Business Services: Kate Bond Infrastructure Services: Belinda Miller Education & Childrens Services: Craig Clement Health & Social Care: Mike Ogg Area Managers: Amanda Roe

Any questions? aberdeenshire.gov.uk