This page includes links to important information on schemes and levers to help local authorities to improve their performance: waste Best Value Performance Indicators, statutory recycling targets, local area agreements, and the Comprehensive Performance Assessment.

• Best value performance indicators
  Best Value places a duty on local authorities to secure continuous improvements in the way they exercise their functions having a regard to a combination of economy, efficiency and effectiveness.
• Statutory recycling targets
  The Government set local authorities in England recycling targets for the years 2003/04, 2005/06 and 2007/08. Performance against these targets is measured by adding together the results for Best Value Indicators 82(a) (recycling) and 82(b) (composting).
  Click here for tables showing London authorities' performance.
• Local Area Agreements (LAAs)
  LAAs set out the priorities for a local area agreed between central government and a local area (the local authority and Local Strategic Partnership) and other key partners at the local level.
• Comprehensive Performance Assessment
  Local authorities that are designated as 'best value authorities' have a statutory duty to put in place arrangements to secure continuous improvement in their functions.

The Local Government White Paper (published in October 2006) set out a new performance framework for local government. The backbone of the new framework will be 198 indicators covering all Government’s priorities for local delivery. Local Government will be required to report their performance against these indicators from April 2008.

To read more about the new proposals for local government performance framework click here.