This section contains information on key national policy briefings that may be of interest to those involved in partnership working.

The Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 introduces a new relationship between central government and local government, and local government and its partners and citizens.The main areas of the Act that impact on LSPs include:

Part Five: Co-operation of English Authorities with parters. Places duty on named partners to cooperate to agree the targets in the LAA, and to make sure they are achieved.

Part Eight: Local Services, Inspection and Audit.

As a result of the Act statutory draft guidance was also produced on Creating Strong, Safe and Prosperous Communities which sets out how some of the key measures in the Act will be implemented inlcuding the introduction in 2009 of the new comprehensive area assessment (CAA) will replace the comprehensive performance assessment (CPA). CAA is likely to emphasise the capacity and effectiveness of an LSP in delivering the LAA’s priorities.

Strong and Prosperous Communities - The Local Government White Paper (2006)

The purpose of the White Paper was to set out the Government's vision for Local Government which includes changes to the way Local Strategic Partnerships operate. The intention is to 'enable partners to respond more flexibly to local needs, reduce top down control and enable citizens to play their part'.

The Implementation Plan was published by Department for Communities and Local Government in January 2007 which provides further guidance and timescales for implementation .In November 2007 a 'One Year On' document was produced..

To read the documents click on the icons below or for more information go to www.communities.gov.uk