Overview - What are Local Strategic Partnerships (LSP’s)?
They are the chosen vehicle of statutory public, private, community and voluntary sectors to promote the social and economic well-being of an area.
These partnerships are committed to improving the quality of life and decision making in a particular locality. They intend to improve local public services by bringing together those who deliver or commission different services, with those for whom the services are provided.
LSP’s co-ordinate community planning in their area, leading to the preparation of a community strategy; a long term plan to improve social, economic and environmental well being for local people
Background for the Bolsover district
Along with 87 other local authority areas, Bolsover Local Strategic Partnership receives Neighbourhood Renewal Fund (NRF) from the Government to help it tackle the challenges it faces. Between 2001 and 2007 we will receive more than £7 million
to help improve services, prospects, and quality of life for local people.
For greater detail on the role of Local Strategic Partnerships, click here
The Bolsover LSP has been in existence, as an officially constituted Local Strategic Partnership, since April 2001. It came about through Government Guidance relative to LSPs and the need to bring together at a local level, various sectors – public, private, community and voluntary to address issues jointly at a local level.
UK Government has said that Local Strategic Partnerships are to:
- Prepare and implement a strategy for their area
- Keep track of progress and keep it up-to-date
- Develop and deliver a Local Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy to secure more jobs, better education, improved health, reduced crime, and better housing, narrowing the gap between deprived neighbourhoods and the rest
- Provide a forum through which providers of public services (local authorities, the police, health services, central government agencies, and voluntary bodies) work effectively together to meet local needs and priorities
- Their role is to set the strategic aims for the area, and see they are delivered.
The area known as the Bolsover District was awarded Neighbourhood
Renewal monies for three years commencing in 2001. The LSP has the job of administering the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund, which has helped projects in many neighbourhoods and communities across the district.
Why Better Partnership Working Matters
All sectors all have a part to play in improving quality of life. The more they can work together and agree a common aim, the more they can achieve.
Tackling key issues for local people such as crime, jobs, health, education and housing requires a range of local organisations working together. There are already many successful partnerships involving local government, local providers of other public services, e.g. Primary Care Trusts, Police, Employment Services and Benefits Agencies, local businesses and voluntary organisations.
A Local Strategic Partnership assists the streamlining of such partnerships and brings them under one umbrella.
Work of the Local Strategic Partnership
Local partners decide on the full range of work to be undertaken by the Local Strategic Partnership. Initially these tasks include-
- Prepare and implement a Community Strategy for Bolsover district. This will identify and deliver the most important things to be done, keeping track of progress and will be updated frequently.
- Work alongside local authorities and partners in the Local Strategic Partnership to ensure the local Public Service Agreement targets are met. These relate to crime, education, housing, employment and health.
- Development and delivery of a Local Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy to secure more jobs, provide better education, improve health, provide better housing and reduce crime thereby narrowing the gap between deprived neighbourhoods and the rest.