D.47 Partnership working remains a priority for the Coalition Government. Delivery mechanisms for partnership working arrangements are nevertheless changing. This section details those mechansims still existing from the previous administration, before moving on to look at some of the new subnational structures which will take on some of this responsibility.
D.48 Local Strategic Partnerships (LSPs) are single non-statutory bodies designed to help people in a specific area work together in the running and delivery of public services. This is done by bringing together key service providers from the public sector with the private, business, community and voluntary sectors. LSPs are always aligned with local authority boundaries, but may exist at both county/unitary and district levels. LSPs were set up under the previous government and as such their is currently a question mark over their future.
LSPs are expected to:
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take many of the major decisions about priorities and funding, with the aim of improving the economic, social and environmental well-being of an area;
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bring together and, where possible, streamline the number of local plans, partnerships and initiatives, improving linkages and simplifying arrangements
D.49 Previously, a major aim of the LSPs was to help develop and drive the implementation of community strategies and, for those at the county/unitary level, Local Area Agreements (LAAs), including developing partnerships to deliver better public service outcomes. In October 2010, LAAs were abolished. At January 2011, many LSPs continue to operate and may continue to do so with a much greater degree of flexibility.
The future of LSPs is likely to evolve as other subnational working arrangements develop. To find out more, see the Communities and Local Government Local Strategic Partnerships webpage.
