The Role of Competition and Competitiveness in Best Value in England and Wales

Abstract

The Best Value regime in England and Wales has already proven its worth during the pilot phase from 1997-2000 - it has led to distinctively different approaches in local government to consultation, to performance comparisons and performance review, and to partnership working. It appears that it has not yet made such obvious progress in the use of competitive mechanisms in best value authorities. However, this underplays the progress made since 1997. With the abolition of CCT in the pilots, evidence is emerging of a new maturity in local government's relationship with the private sector. In some authorities, this is evidenced merely by the fact that they are, at last, prepared to recognise the inevitability of the mixed economy of provision and are prepared to work within it. This article maps out the changing response of the Best Value pilot authorities to the issues of 'competitiveness' and competition, and uses four case studies to highlight emerging lessons.