This resource is from the Reports section. This page contains the Best Value Audit Report 2001/02. The purpose of the report is to inform MPA of the key issues arising from the audit of the BVPP.

Sections available here:

• Best Value Audit Report 2001/02
  • Response to Best Value Audit 2001/02
  • Appendix 1: Compliance issues with respect to Best Value Performance Indicators

Best Value Audit Report 2001/02

July 2001

This report is provided by the auditor on the Best Value Performance Plan (BVPP), under Section 7 of the Local Government Act 1999. The purpose of the report is to inform MPA Members and senior staff of the key issues arising from the audit of the BVPP, and the actions which are now required. The work included a detailed follow-up of progress against recommendations made during last year’s pre-statutory audit and an assessment of overall progress in relation to Best Value across the MPA and the MPS.

Response to Best Value Audit 2001/02

Overall response

The Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) welcomes the report and considers it to be fair and helpful. The process of audit was useful and contributed to a better policing and performance plan than would otherwise have been the case. The statutory and non-statutory recommendations reinforce the need to address key issues to ensure that the MPA meets its duty to secure continuous improvement.

The ‘except for’ qualification resulted from a lack of data on five statutory Best Value Performance Indicators (see Appendix 1). Steps will be taken, in line with the recommendation made by the auditor, to ensure all necessary performance information will be included in next year’s plan. The qualification should not obscure the overall positive nature of the report nor the need to address other important issues.

Specific actions

1. The auditor’s report and opinion, plus MPA statement of response, will be published on both the MPA and MPS internet sites [July 2001].
2. Each of the statutory and non-statutory recommendations will be included on the action list overseen by the MPA/MPS Best Value Programme Board [July 2001]. The steps being taken to address each recommendation will be described and progress will be reported at each subsequent meeting.
3. Once the list of BVPIs for 2002/03 is published [anticipated autumn 2001] the MPA will request a formal assessment from the MPS which identifies:
   1. possible problems with compliance [1];
   2. options to remove / minimise any identified problems.
4. Over-and-above action 2, the need to integrate best value principles into day-to-day processes will be reflected in ongoing work to develop a corporate strategy and a revised framework of corporate governance [autumn 2001].
5. The terms of reference for the MPA/MPS Best Value Programme Board have been revised to ensure that completed reviews have clear and measurable improvement plans [June 2001].
6. This statement of response will be included in the MPA’s policing and performance plan 2002/03 [March 2002].

Appendix 1: Compliance issues with respect to Best Value Performance Indicators

BV Code	Indicator	Reason for lack of data	Current position
BV20	Annual estate running costs (excluding repairs and maintenance) per square metre.	Data could not be validated before the end of the financial year.	2000/01 data validated and included in the annual report. The BVPI is no longer required.
BV28	Percentage of police officers in: operational posts; operational support posts; and organisational support posts.	Data obtained via annual survey conducted after 31 March (the publication date for the plan).	2000/01 survey data obtained and included in the annual report. MPS to review data collection method and timing.
BV136	Percentage of persons arrested for notifiable offences who were charged, reported for summons, or the offence has been taken into consideration by a court.	MPS computer systems unable to provide data on this BVPI.	Change of definition [2]  from 1 April 2001 such that MPS systems can now provide the data. Data using the revised definition will be included in the annual report.
BV152	Percentage of police authority buildings open to the public, which are suitable for and accessible to disabled people.	Data obtained via annual survey conducted in April (after publication date for the plan).	2000/01 survey data obtained and included in the annual report. MPS to review data collection method and timing.
BV154	Percentage of reported domestic violence incidents that involved victims of a reported domestic violence incident in the last twelve months	A new reporting method had to be introduced in 2000/01 to identify repeat domestic violence. However, wide variation in compliance precluded the production of reliable data.	Processes to improve reporting and ensure compliance have been put in place for 2001/02 data.

1. Depending on the BVPIs agreed for 2002/03 the MPS may (for example) have technical difficulties in providing the information required. [Back]

2. New definition: Percentage of notifiable offences that were detected where a person has been charged, reported for summons, or the offence has been taken into consideration by a court. [Back]

This document is available for download in PDF format:

• Best Value Audit Report 2001/02

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