Hosted by LG Professionals the Best Value Conference 2001 held at the Carlton Crest Hotel in Melbourne, focused on Victoria’s ‘Best Value Odyssey’.
The underlying principle of Best Value is to seek the best service delivery in all aspects of Councils’ operations, considering quality, responsiveness, cost and effectiveness. The Bracks Government’s objectives for Best Value in Victoria is to achieve local accountability, whole of organisation response, community consultation on performance, best value outcomes, benefits not just lowest costs and the encouragement of innovation.
“People in Victoria have been good travellers in the Best Value odyssey with most Councils travelling well after the stress of Compulsive Competitive Tendering (CCT),” LG Professionals President, Lyndon Webb, said. “Best Value has become the way in which things are done as opposed to just a new regime.”
In December 2000, a Best Value Commission was established to assist Councils in implementing Best Value. Chaired by Professor Belinda Probert, the Commission’s academic representative and Professor of Sociology and Head of the School of Social Science and Planning at RMIT University, the Commission also includes Carol Matthews, representing community/business interests, and former Councillor, Peter McMullen, representing Local Government.
Professor Probert explained the objectives, role and focus of the Best Value Commission.
“The Commission serves as an advisory body to the Minister that provides independent advice on whether implementation is delivering better outcomes to the community, whether Best Value is meeting the Government’s policy objectives and if any policy adjustments or support to the sector is needed,” she said. “The Commission also provides advice to the Minister via analysis of Best Value Implementation Programs, Best Value Annual Reports and information gleaned from group discussions with Councils and Councillors. We will also recommend to the Minister any adjustments to framework/codes if required.”
Reporting to the Minister in November, the Commission is currently liaising with the following Local Government bodies.
- Local Government Professionals Inc
- Municipal Association of Victoria
- Victorian Local Governance Association
- Australian Services Union.
“The Commission is not about audits or inspections, judging Councils, ranking or looking to league ladder the sector,” Professor Probert said. “What we do want to do is support the sector, understand its capacity and encourage innovation.”
Addressing the Conference via videolink, Minister for Local Government, Bob Cameron, said the State Government is committed to helping Local Government raise the bar.
“There is a high level of cynicism in the community towards Local Government,” he said. “I see Best Value as an opportunity to increase the credibility of Local Government across the State.” CCT was often referred to during the conference.
“CCT kept citizens and Councillors at a distance, as it was too difficult and political,” said President of the Victorian Local Governance Australia Association, Councillor Julie Hansen. “Similarly, Best Value is a specialist activity, and, as such, has the potential to follow the CCT path. Councillors must be involved in the Best Value process, as consultation and human engagement is the key to good governance. Best Value is an opportunity to embrace and we should use it to enhance our commitment to good governance.”
