PART 12PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT

Improvement: supplementary

86Improvement: supplementary

1

A council improves the exercise of its functions in terms of—

a

strategic effectiveness, if it exercises its functions in a way which is reasonably likely to lead to the achievement of, or assist in achieving, any of its strategic objectives;

b

service quality, if there is an improvement in the quality of services;

c

service availability, if there is an improvement in the availability of services;

d

fairness, if—

i

disadvantages faced by particular groups in accessing, or taking full advantage of, services are reduced; or

ii

social well-being is improved as a result of the provision of services or the way in which functions are otherwise exercised;

e

sustainability, if services are provided or functions are otherwise exercised in a way which contributes to the achievement of sustainable development in Northern Ireland;

f

efficiency, if there is an improvement in the efficiency with which resources are used in the provision of services or in the way in which functions are otherwise exercised; and

g

innovation, if the way in which services are provided or functions are otherwise exercised is altered in a manner which is reasonably likely to lead to any outcome described in paragraphs (a) to (f).

2

For the purposes of subsection (1)(a), a council’s strategic objectives are the objectives contained in its current community plan.

3

For the purposes of this section references to services are to—

a

services provided by the council in the exercise of its functions;

b

services provided by any other person under arrangements made by the council in the exercise of its functions.

4

In subsection (2) “current community plan” has the meaning given by section 78(1).

5

The Department may by order—

a

amend or omit any paragraph of subsection (1);

b

add additional paragraphs to that subsection;

c

amend or omit such additional paragraphs;

d

make such other amendments of this Part as appear to the Department to be necessary or expedient in connection with provision made under this subsection.