Working in partnership
Partnership working has become more and more important for public service delivery in recent years, between a variety of organisations including councils on a local level, and between local and central government. Increasingly local councils are working with different organisations to deliver services more efficiently and effectively.
Local strategic partnerships (LSP)
LSPs are cross-agency partnerships including public, private, community and voluntary sector organisations that work together to improve local services in a particular area. As well as the council, the partnership might include community and faith groups, emergency services, charities, businesses, schools, health organisations and so on. By sharing experiences and expertise, the partnership organisations are better able to understand local people, places and problems and ensure they take the right actions to improve the quality of life in the area.
Local councils take the lead in developing LSPs, but they do not have ownership of them. For most councils setting up an LSP is optional, but many recognise the strength, value and benefit of the work and have developed partnerships accordingly.
Many LSPs are starting to make a real difference, particularly in very deprived areas. Partnership activites vary from place to place dependent on local issues, but the remit of LSPs remains to improve local public services by working together.
More information about LSPs is available on the Communities and Local Government and IDeA websites.
Local Area Agreements (LAA)
LAAs are three-year agreements negotiated by local councils on behalf of their Local Strategic Partnership (LSP), and the regional Government Office on behalf of Central Government. LAAs determine the priorities for a local area, and aim to use funding resources more effectively, reduce bureaucracy and improve efficiency in four theme areas:
- children and young people
- safer and stronger communities
- healthier communities and older people
- economic development and enterprise
The LSP provides the strategic coordination for the LAA and drives its effective delivery.
More information about LAAs is available on the Communities and Local Government and IDeA websites.