Best Value.The duty of Best Value applies to all Local Authorities, the Police, and Fire Brigade. It means making sure that high quality public services are delivered for the best possible price. All public services covered by Best Value are subject to review at least every five years. Reviews must challenge the ways services are provided, compare performance with others, consult with local people and compete to get the best provider of the service.

Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP). After the Rio Summit in 1992, the UK Government produced its 1994 Biodiversity Action Plan. Local BAPs are the next stage. So far there are over 50 species and habitat types identified as being under risk in Cheshire. Local BAPs audit the species/habitat and set out a series of actions which constitute a rescue programme.

Cheshire and Warrington Economic Alliance. An alliance of organisations and companies that provide employment and training, working together to develop the ideas, skills, environment, infrastructure and opportunities essential to promoting and sustaining a thriving Cheshire economy.

Cheshire Learning Partnership. Organisations and companies that provide education, learning and employment, working together to create opportunities for lifelong learning, helping individuals and communities to fulfil their potential and contribute to a prosperous and cohesive society.

Community Legal Service. A network quality assured organisations that provide legal information and advice services

Community Strategy / Plan. The product of the new statutory duty on local authorities to prepare, with partner organisations and the community, a plan that "promotes the economic, social and environmental well-being of their area".

The aim is to integrate policy and service provision behind a single strategy to meet locally identified needs and priorities. In Cheshire the County and District Councils are working together to produce a countywide Community Strategy and 6 district-based community plans.

Connexions. The Cheshire and Warringtion Connexions Partnership, launched on 1 April 2001, is the Government’s new youth support service for 13 to 19 year olds. Connexions will provide guidance, help and support for young people to prepare them for the transition to work and adult life.

Ecological Network for Cheshire. The Life ECOnet Project is exploring how best to re-establish linkages between areas for wildlife in order to create a sustainable network of habitats. It has applied computer technology and landscape ecology principles to define an ecological network for the county, involving people and communities in order to gain their understanding and support, and integrating the ecological network into land use planning policies, programmes and practices. The aim is to have the network in place by 2020.

Education Action Zone. A partnership of parents, schools, businesses, the County Council and Learning and Skills Council working together to raise achievement in low performing schools. In Cheshire the only Education Action Zone is in Ellesmere Port.

EU Objective 2 funding. European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to increase employment and business competitivity, reduce social exclusion and develop sustainable communities. In Cheshire, parts of Ellesmere Port and small areas of Frodsham and Helsby are eligible.

EU Objective 3 funding. European Social Fund (ESF) available across Cheshire designed to help those without a job into work, support those at risk of unemployment and encourage lifelong learning.

GDP (Gross Domestic Product). Is the sum of all incomes earned from productive activity; that is income from employment, self employment, gross trading profits and rent.

Health Improvement and Modernisation Programme. Organisations whose responsibilities impact on health, working together within a NHS Primary Care Trust area to deliver a local action plan to improve health, reduce inequalities in health and modernise services.

Index of Multiple Deprivation. A Government method of identifying areas of deprivation that uses 33 different indicators covering income, employment, health, disability, education, access to services and housing.

"Key Stages". A pupil’s progress through school is described in "key stages". Key Stage 1 (KS1) ends at age 7, KS2 ends at 11 years, KS 3 at 14 years and KS4 at 16 years. At the end of each stage there are Standard Assessment Tests (SATs) that measure achievement (GCSEs at end KS4).

Local Environment Agency Plans (LEAPs). Integrated local management plans that publicise actions that are, or could be on-going in the local area to address local environmental issues. They take into account the views of local communities, businesses, industry and voluntary groups.

Local Strategic Partnerships (LSPs). The mechanism through which Community Strategies are developed and organisations work together to simplify existing planning and partnership requirements. The Cheshire Partnership is the LSP for Cheshire. Each Cheshire district will also have an LSP.

Local Transport Plan. A five year, countywide plan that responds to transport issues and concerns, including increased traffic, road accidents, alternatives to the car, public transport, air pollution and road maintenance.

Public Service Agreement (PSA). An agreement between an individual Local Authority and Government departments.

In return for enhanced service performance, the Government is offering to relax some planning, operational and financial restrictions and to provide substantial financial incentives.

Quality of Life Survey 2000. An interview survey that asked 1548 Cheshire residents their views about quality of life and how it can be improved. This information was used as one of the starting points for developing the Community Strategy.

Single Regeneration Budget. Central pot of Government funding to regenerate areas of economic, environmental and social need. Competitive applications process. But there will be no new rounds and only existing schemes are to be funded.

Supporting People. A partnership of local government, service users, health, probation and support agencies working together on a new system of providing housing related support services, enabling people to live more independent lives in the community.

Sustainable Cheshire Forum. Created in 1996 as an informal group of organisations actively supporting sustainable development in Cheshire. This was a response to the global strategy – AGENDA 21 – created at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio. In January 1997, the Forum launched Cheshire’s first Agenda 21 Strategy and Action Plan.

Sustainable Cheshire Topic Groups. Topic Groups have developed to support delivery of the Sustainable Cheshire Action Plan, each focusing on a particular aspect of the plan and monitoring progress.

Valuing People. A Government White Paper that sets out an ambitious programme to change attitudes to and services for people with learning disabilities, to provide the same life chances and opportunities as for other people. A Learning Disabilities Partnership Board for Cheshire was set up in October 2001 to take forward the requirements of Valuing People.

Voluntary Sector Compacts. A dialogue / agreement between public sector and voluntary sector organisations about the way they will work together for the benefit of local people.

Waste Management Strategy. An integrated Municipal Waste Management Strategy for Cheshire produced by the County Council, District Councils, Halton and Warrington Unitary Councils.

Welfare to Work. Agencies currently providing services for disabled people working together to support disabled people in to work.