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Best Value principles overview
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Best Value Principles
The Victorian Labor Government was elected in 1999, with one of its key platforms being the removal of the Compulsory Competitive Tendering legislation, which forced councils to market test (tender) many of their services. In December, 1999, this legislation was removed and replaced with the Best Value principles.
What are the Best Value principles?
The following is a summary of the principles;
- All services provided by the council must meet quality and cost standards.
- All services provided by the council must be responsive to community needs.
- Each service provided by council must be accessible to those members of the community for whom it is intended.
- The council must achieve continuous improvement in each service delivered.
- The council must develop a program of regular consultation with its community on each service it provides.
- The council must report regularly to its community on its achievement of the above principles.
When applying the principles a council may take into account;
- Reviewing the services against the best on offer in both the public and private sector;
- Assessing value for money in service delivery;
- Community expectations and values;
- Balancing affordability and accessibility to the community;
- Opportunities for local employment growth and retention;
- Value of partnerships with other councils, state and Federal governments;
- Potential environmental advantages for the municipality.
The Best Value principles are designed to ensure that local services are a reflection of local community needs and expectations, both in terms xof quality and cost. Since their implementation, Wodonga ouncil has conducted comprehensive reviews of all services, to ensure that each service is fulfilling the objectives of the Best Value principles, but more importantly, to ensure that each service reflects what our community as a whole expect. As part of the review process, the council has sought community involvement and input, to ensure we clearly understand the needs and expectations of our community and to discuss the constraints on the council in meeting these.
This community feedback will be used to drive future planning decisions on the provision of each service and will determine key criteria by which Council's performance of each service can be measured and reported back to the community. We hope that you will participate and have a say in the way in which we provide services to you.
A copy of the Victorian Government "Best Value Victoria Guide" is available under the "downloads" heading on this page as well as copies of service review reports. Further information on Best Value is available at the Department of Infrastructure website www.doi.vic.gov.au/localgov/bestvalue or the City of Wodonga on (02) 6022 9300.
