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.
New LAA Leaflets
"What are local area agreements?" is an information leaflet for
LIOs and the broader third sector. It explains how local area
agreements (LAAs) work and why and how third sector organisations
should engage with them. It is now in an updated second edition
which includes information on multi-area agreements (MAAs) and on
how LAAs work in two-tier authorities. You can
order up to 500
copies to give to your members for free!
"Local area agreement - what's it got to do with me?" is aimed
at citizens engaged in community action and provides a simple
introduction to LAAs, making the links between community activity
influencing local decision making with support from LIOs. Copies of
this can be ordered by emailing
Laura
James.