Best Value Duty: consultation on revised statutory guidance
We are seeking views on revised statutory guidance for local and strategic authorities in England to comply with the Best Value Duty.
What is being proposed
In May 2024, we published statutory guidance on the Best Value Duty to:
provide greater clarity to the local government sector in England on what constitutes Best Value and the standards expected by central government
explain the various models of statutory and non-statutory intervention available to the department and the then Secretary of State to support authorities to achieve compliance
We are now consulting on revised guidance. This revised guidance reflects the government’s public service reform principles of devolution, service integration and a shift towards preventative measures to resolve problems before they escalate into crises.
Documents
2How to respond
Online, on the department's own form.
By email to BestValue@communities.gov.uk
Best Value Duty Guidance Consultation Team Local Government Stewardship and Interventions Division Local Government Reform and Strategy Directorate Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Floor 2, Peel Building 2 Marsham Street London SW1P 4DF
Responses close 7 October 2026.