Best Value in Welsh Local Government: Progress and prospects

The development and distinctive characteristics of Best Value in Wales are analysed on the basic of Lm extensive set of interviews with elected member s and officers in an of the Welsh pilot authorities. The close relationship between the Welsh Office and the Welsh Local Government Association has sh aped the Best Value regime. These organisations have steered the formulatio n of the policy, and have drivem its implementation at a faster pace than i n England A consequence is that Welsh pilots have confronted difficult issu es concerning performance plans and service reviews ahead of their English counterparts. The prospects for the implementation of Best Value are el eva luated on rile basis of Welsh pilots' experience with the first wave of 127 service reviews.