According to the Department of Communities and Local Government,
local area agreements (LAAs) are: "the most significant change in
local public service funding since World War Two". They
are a key plank of government policy and fundamental to the way in
which partnerships work at a local level.
What is a local area agreement?
A local area agreement is a three-year agreement, based on the
local Sustainable Community Strategy, that sets out the priorities
for the local area agreed between central government represented by
Government Office (GO) and the local area, represented by the lead
authority and other key partners through the local strategic
partnership (LSP).
The primary objective of an LAA is to deliver sustainable
communities through better outcomes for local people. Secondary
objectives include improving relations between local and central
government, enhancing efficiency, strengthening partnership working
and enhancing the role of local authorities in their community
leadership role.