Policy
5 April, 2006
Local authorities sign off Round Two Local Area Agreements
15 London boroughs included
A total of 15 London local authorities have signed off Local Area Agreements under Round Two of the roll-out of the national programme. These are the boroughs of Barking and Dagenham, Brent, Camden, Croydon, Enfield, Harrow, Hounslow, Islington, Kensington and Chelsea, Kingston, Lewisham, Redbridge, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest and Westminster. Of these, five authorities are designated 'single pot' areas, meaning they have more freedom in spending funding streams and meeting outcomes.
Background
A Local Area Agreement (LAA) is a three-year agreement setting out priorities agreed between the Government Office for a region and a local area. The local area is represented by the lead local authority and other key players, through Local Strategic Partnerships (LSPs). The LAA is based on local Sustainable Community Strategies. They aim to rationalise a number of Governmental funding streams, both in terms of administration and monitoring.
The primary objective of an LAA is to deliver sustainable communities through better outcomes for local people. Secondary objectives include:
- improving Central and Local Government relations;
- enhancing efficiency;
- strengthening partnership working;
- offering a framework within which local authorities can enhance their community leadership role.
Under the next phase, Round Three, LAAs will be rolled out to all upper tier authorities. The Local Government White Paper and the 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review will also influence the future of LAAs.
Process
Local areas negotiate the content of LAAs, which local partners and Ministers then sign off. The LAA must contain a number of mandatory outcomes and indicators under four headings:
- children and young people;
- safer and stronger communities;
- healthier communities and older people;
- economic development.
For 'single pot' areas, these restrictions to the four headings do not apply and they do not have to group either outcomes or funding streams as above.
A key part of LAA's is the role of local people and the voluntary and community sector (VCS). LSPs must include VCS representation, as well as encouraging other community representatives. Additionally, local compacts form the basis of partnership with the VCS, setting out rules of engagement between local authorities and VCS groups. The LAA must include a statement of the involvement of the VCS and local people in the design and delivery of the agreement. This should state how both groups have been informed, consulted and given the opportunity to participate in the LAA process.
A key challenge for the independent legal advice and information VCS will be how to influence and inform these developments.
For more information on LAAs, see the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's website Local Area Agreements
