Explaining continuity and change in the transition from Compulsory Competitive Tendering to Best Value for sport and recreation management

Abstract

Following the election of New Labour in 1997, the policy of CCT for the management of local authority sport and recreation facilities has been replaced by Best Value. This represents an important and significant shift in the philosophy underpinning the provision of public sector sport and recreation facilities in the UK. Consequently, this is deemed to be a timely and opportune moment to both evaluate the legacy of CCT insofar as it has impacted on local authority sport and recreation provision and to undertake an albeit early critical appraisal of the likely impact on sport and recreation of the policy of Best Value. Best Value can be viewed as an archetypal policy of the 'Third Way' philosophy. Unsurprisingly therefore, it seeks to eliminate the perceived negative consequences of CCT whilst retaining the positive aspects. As a result, the transition from CCT to Best Value should be seen in terms of both continuity and change. It is argued that the success or failure of both the policy of Best Value and the philosophy of the 'Third Way' are inextricably entwined.