The purpose of the module is to provide a basis for comparing the performance of local authorities and private practices with the objective of identifying "best practice" and enabling improvements in working practices and "best value". To this end, it is intended that the information is transparent, auditable and directly comparable.

The module is basedon a Combined Services questionnaire on which members should include a summary of all services regularly utilised by the organisation on traditional construction projects. Completion of this questionnaire is particularly important because it enables the comparisons now being asked for by the Audit Commission in respect of Design Services contribution to the effective management of property.

The module includes:

• Sustainability Indicators
• Strategic information
• Financial performance
• Quality performance
• Combined performance

The process is totally confidential. Each authority receives a print out of their own information together with a set of histograms, which highlight where that authority is in relation to the other members of the group. As you only have highlighted your own authority no one knows who the other authorities are and thus total confidentiality is maintained. However if you wish to get in touch with another authority that appears to be performing better than you, this we can arrange.

Membership covers all types of authority.