Background to LSPs and Community Strategies

Local Government Act

The Local Government Act 2000 places a duty on local authorities to prepare a Community Strategy for improving and promoting the economic, social and environmental well-being of their area. Government guidance on Community Strategies makes it clear that Local Authorities are expected to prepare Community Strategies in partnership with other local organisations and agencies and recommends that they do this by establishing a Local Strategic Partnership.

A Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) is a non-statutory, multi-agency body, which matches local authority boundaries. It aims to bring together at a local level the different parts of the public, private, community and voluntary sectors. The core membership of a LSP should include the private, public, voluntary and the community sectors and representatives on the LSP need to have the necessary leadership and leverage in their own organisations.

To be effective LSPs need to:

• Involve the community
• Bring together public, private, voluntary and community sectors
• Be effectively led
• Be a genuine partnership
• Ensure priorities are reflected in delivery of services
• Take a strategic role in coordinating actions working towards local and national targets

To achieve the above LSPs will have to:

• Find a method of working with and consulting with local people
• Develop and publicise aims and priorities
• Ensure all partners are treated equally
• Build common purpose and shared commitment
• Share local information and good practice
• Identify and support effective local initiatives
• Develop a common performance management system
• Provide a forum for debate, discussion and common decision-making