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Plans, performance information and accountability: the case of Best Value

Boyne, George Alexander, Gould-Williams, Julian Seymour ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1368-1792, Law, Jennifer and Walker, Richard 2002. Plans, performance information and accountability: the case of Best Value. Public Administration 80 (4) , pp. 691-710. 10.1111/1467-9299.00324

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Abstract

The current UK government emphasizes the importance of mechanisms of accountability that involve the planning and public reporting of performance. One example of this is the Best Value performance plan. However, there has been little evaluation of the quality of the information provided in this type of document. This paper draws on literature on stakeholding and user needs to identify the data required for accountability. It then assesses whether the plans produced by Best Value pilot authorities in Wales provide appropriate information. The analysis shows that very few of the plans contained the relevant material. Interviews in the pilot authorities highlighted two key reasons for the poor level of data: a lack of performance indicators prior to Best Value and limited staff expertise in performance measurement. The evidence suggests that documents such as performance plans currently make little contribution to the accountability of public organizations.

Item Type: Article
Date Type: Publication
Status: Published
Schools: Business (Including Economics)
Subjects: H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD28 Management. Industrial Management
H Social Sciences > HF Commerce > HF5601 Accounting
H Social Sciences > HJ Public Finance
J Political Science > JS Local government Municipal government
Publisher: Wiley
ISSN: 0033-3298
Last Modified: 21 Oct 2022 10:43
URI: https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/41142

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