Best Value Assurance Report (BVAR) Improvement Plan progressing well
Highland Council Members today (9 September 2021) noted the “good progress,” being made on its Improvement Plan following recommendations made by Audit Scotland in its Best Value Assurance Report.
Best Value is about ensuring that there is good governance and effective management of resources, with a focus on continuous improvement, in order to deliver the best possible outcomes for communities.
In October 2016, Audit Scotland adopted a fresh approach, which would include auditing of the Council’s statutory duty, with a new, increased focus on the pace and depth of improvement at each council.
In response Highland Council developed a seven-point Improvement Plan, the progress of which was reported to Members at today’s full meeting of Highland Council.
One of the main recommendations requires Highland Council to ensure all staff are fully engaged in the transformation programme and that budget holders are clear on what is expected, in order to deliver savings set out in ongoing transformation work.
Leader of Highland Council, Cllr Margaret Davidson, said: “In line with the Council’s Communications and Engagement Strategy there has been a planned programme of online briefings with the Chief Executive and Executive Chief Officers. There are also staff focus groups and web resources to support staff input their views and suggestions.
The Leader added: “The emphasis of the work in 2020/21 has been to engage and inform staff on the Council’s response to COVID-19, supporting staff health and wellbeing and in New Ways of Working (NWOW) post-COVID.”
The Improvement Plan also highlights the Council’s refreshed approach to Service Planning in response to the BVAR.
Members also noted an improvement in the Council’s use of family grouping data, benchmarking and targets to enhance performance reporting.
Cllr Davidson commented: “The updated approach to the Corporate Plan now articulates trend data, family and national benchmark positions and Members have set stretch targets for improving the Council’s national benchmark positions.
“This approach has resulted in enhanced performance reporting against targets in the Council’s Annual Performance Report from October 2020 and the SPI, Benchmarking & Best Value Report to Council in March 2021.”
There is also ongoing activity to engage Head Teachers in use of performance data with a focus on closing the attainment gap for pupils from deprived backgrounds including numeracy, literacy along with positive and sustained destinations.
In terms of overall performance management, the timeline for implementing a corporate approach to self-assessment has slipped against the target timescale largely due to prioritising the Council’s response to COVID-19.
Deputy Leader of Highland Council, Cllr Alastair Christie, said: A revised target date is recommended and good progress against this is already being made. The sharing of best practice internally continues including use of the Recovery, Improvement & Transformation Board, and joint ELT/SLT workshops and briefings.”
The Improvement Plan also focuses on revised governance arrangements and work has been completed to revise these. The Council’s Climate Change Working Group will have an important role as the agenda and targets in response to the Climate Emergency take shape through national policy and COP26 (2021 United Nations climate change conference).
The BVAR has recognised the pace of change at Highland Council, which it says has significantly changed under the stewardship of the Chief Executive.
Alasdair Christie added: “The pace of change and delivery of the Council’s budget and Change Programme is bearing significant results with positive budget outturns providing opportunities in 2021/22 for increased investment and increased reserves.
“However, it is recognised that future years will be challenging and the pace of change in recovery, improvement and transformation must be maintained to delivery efficiency savings.”