Local Government and the third sector
A new performance framework for monitoring and regulating local government is set out in Chapter 6 of the Local Government White Paper: 'Strong and Prosperous Communities', October 2006 [external website]. Key elements of the new framework include:
- Local Strategic Partnerships
Under the framework, each local area will have a Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) which will decide on local priorities. Third sector organisations are full and equal partners in LSPs and the partnerships have a duty to involve local citizens in decision-making.
- Local Area Agreements
The priorities agreed by the LSPs will be set out in Local Area Agreements (LAAs). LAAs are agreements between central government, local authorities and their partners to improve services and the quality of life in an area.
- National Indicators
The performance framework currently includes a set of 188 National Indicators. These indicators cover all the national priority outcomes which local authorities will be responsible for delivering. Each LAA will have up to 35 of these targets agreed as priorities. Performance against the priorities set out in the LAA will be assessed through Comprehensive Area Assessments (CAAs).
- Comprehensive Area Assessments
CAA is the framework for assessing how well all local public bodies are delivering agreed local priorities as set out in LAAs and the wider national indicator set. It is a rolling assessment which will look at the whole area and how well local bodies are working together in partnership to achieve improved outcomes for their communities.
- Total Place & the third sector
Total Place is an ambitious programme that has the potential to transform landscape of local public service delivery.
More details of the new local government performance framework can be found on the CLG website [external website].
