A critical role for Local Strategic Partnerships

Date published: 08/12/2005

A critical role for Local Strategic Partnerships (LSPs) has been outlined by Local Government Minister Phil Woolas. A new consultation promoting collaboration as the only way to achieve efficient and coherent service delivery - rather than simply being 'an addition to the day job' - was launched. The consultation positions LSPs as central to the delivery of effective Local Area Agreements, the development of strong local leadership and devolved decision-making, and a key driver of community engagement.

Local services are increasingly being delivered in partnership - with local authorities working with other public sector agencies, businesses, and the voluntary and community sectors. LSPs, established over the past five years, are the vehicle for co-ordinating this way of working.  Therefore it is critical that LSPs are able to fulfil the increasing expectations being placed on them.

Experience to date shows partnerships only work well where they are developed locally to reflect the situation on the ground - there is 'no- one- size- fits- all'. Today's consultation launch adds fresh impetus to developing a fit for purpose, yet flexible model.

Local Government Minister Phil Woolas said: "Communities - quite understandably - don't always make the distinction about who's responsible for delivering their local services.  What people want to see is a joined up approach, with high quality public services delivered according to local needs and priorities. LSPs are the cornerstone of that tailored approach, but as they take on an increasingly prominent role, we must ensure that they are fit for purpose, and capable of driving forward genuine improvements.

"The challenge now is to develop LSPs, and ensure that they are well equipped with the right framework and the right powers to be able to realise their significant potential. By rooting Sustainable Community Strategies in firm evidence of what a local area needs, being robust enough to set the agenda for local priorities, and securing agreement between different bodies within a particular community, LSPs can help to bring about a real improvement in local quality of life."

The consultation focuses on a number of challenges now facing LSPs, including critically the need to develop and drive delivery of Local Area Agreements and the need to reshape community strategies into Sustainable Community Strategies in line with the Egan Review.  LSPs must be capable of balancing and integrating economic, social and environmental goals to deliver genuinely sustainable communities.

The consultation also reflects the progress made in areas in receipt of Neighbourhood Renewal Fund (NRF) resources, where LSPs have already made the shift from focusing on process to the delivery of outcomes.  The aim is to capitalise on this success.

Consultation will run until 3 March 2006; copies of the consultation document 'Local Strategic Partnerships - Shaping their future' can be found at www.odpm.gov.uk/lg/consult

Responding to the news, John Kay, Deputy Chairman of Rochdale LSP and President of Rochdale Borough Local Chamber of Commerce Council (and a Director of Rochdale Online) said: "I am very pleased to see that Local Government Minister Phil Woolas is to consult locally on the role of Local Strategic Partnerships. Rochdale LSP is trying very hard to involve all sections of Society. The Rochdale Public, Private and Voluntary Sectors are working well in partnership and if given the funds there is much which Rochdale LSP can achieve.
 
I believe it is now time for the Private Sector to become more involved with LSP. Services delivered according to local needs by Public/Private/Community partnerships is the way forward and the Private Sector must be there if they are to be involved.
 
It is for that reason that I have agreed to act as Project Director of an LSP 'Private Sector Involvement Project' which will start in the new year and which will certainly take on board the 'best practice' which come out of the consultation by Local Government Minister Phil Woolas."