Economic Regeneration in Staffordshire

Best Value

The Government has placed a duty of best value on local authorities to deliver services to clear standards - of cost and quality - by the most economic, efficient and effective means available. Authorities must demonstrate to local people that they are achieving continuous improvement in all of their services. The Government has decided that each authority should be scrutinised by an independent inspectorate, so that public will know whether best value is being achieved.

In 2005 the Economic Regeneration service was inspected and assessed as follows:-

The economic regeneration service provided by Staffordshire County Council is 'good' and its prospects for improvements are 'promising' according to an independent report released by the Audit Commission.

The Audit Commission inspection team gave the service two stars out of a possible three because the council has a clear vision and sense of purpose for its economic regeneration work. It works well with partners and has a strong track record on physical regeneration projects.

Delyth Morris, Audit Commission senior manager, said:

'The council amalgamated several teams to work on the economic and physical regeneration of Staffordshire. There is strong commitment to the success of this work from councillors and staff. There are good examples of this commitment resulting in more jobs, better skills and higher wages. The council now needs to ensure that everyone understands the vision and targets for regeneration.'

The inspectors found:

A clear vision and purpose with key aims: the council sees economic regeneration as a means to change the way the county will work in the future
A commitment to economic regeneration with corporately agreed resources, together with councillors, managers and staff who are enthursiastic and committed to improving the service
The service is respected and trusted by its many partners
Difficult decisions have been taken and significant improvements made
Targeted and effective service provision, based on a track record of delivery on physical regeneration projects; for example at Lymedale and Silverdale
A strong research facility that enables the service to know what the key issues are and where best to target their resources.

To help the service improve, inspectors recommended that the council should, amongst other things:

Make better use of performance information to manage and improve the service
Refine and make clearer it definition and policy framework for regeneration and widen the scope of the forward programme for physical regeneration
Make more informed use of consultation done by other agencies working in targeted areas.

Economic regeneration is managed by the planning and regeneration department of the council's development services directorate. The economic regeneration team includes economic development and tourism, the business and environment network, county farms, the Shugborough historic estate, physical regeneration, external funding, strategic skills, inward investment and the Staffordshire jobs bus.

Copies of the report are available from Staffordshire County Council or on the Audit Commission website at www.audit-commission.gov.uk

From April 2010, it will be a legal requirement for the County Council to produce a Local Economic Assessment for Staffordshire. The County Council's track record of success will continue to play an important part in all aspects of Staffordshire's economic performance.

Last Modified: 11/11/2009 14:03:49
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