Best Value Guidance
Under delegation, schools have the choice as to their provider for supplies and services. There is a duty for both the Local Authority and School Governing Bodies to ensure Best Value, i.e. the delivery of services to clear standards, covering both cost and quality, by the most effective, economic and efficient means available. It is therefore essential that schools are fully aware of the alternatives available for them, and the processes they should follow, when considering the purchase and contracting of supplies and services.
The School Funding Unit have released a series of guides aimed at supporting school management through such decisions, bringing together literature from a number of sources, and providing advice for ensuring value for money and Best Value is achieved.
To ensure this information is relevant and up to date, the existing documents relating to advice on purchasing payroll, telecommunications and ICT, are currently under review and will be re-published on The Grid when complete.
The DfE website section on Schools Financial Management contains advice on Efficiency and Value for Money:
You can also refer to Hertfordshire County Councils' Commissioning Toolkit for Schools:
ICT Purchasing
A guide for schools when purchasing ICT Systems
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