The Local Government White Paper - published in October 2006 - requires the local authority and other partners to co-operate to agree the priorities in a local area agreement (LAA) - a deal between central and local government on funding and what needs to be done in an area.
Tomorrow's event (March 1st), taking place at the Reebok Stadium in Bolton, is an opportunity for key partners in the region to discuss how they can make LAAs work for their residents.
LAAs are already starting to deliver positive change in the North West. Early successes include:
- In Lancashire - a collaborative pilot project on risk taking behaviour is addressing issues such as teenage pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases and underage drinking among high school students
- In Blackpool - early indications are that the Springboard programme, designed to assist vulnerable families, is having a positive impact on evictions and preventing children from being taken into care
- In Bolton - the 'Feel the Benefit' programme has linked together several agencies to increase benefit take-up
Minister for Local Government Phil Woolas said:
"By then end of April, every area in England will have a Local Area Agreement (LAA), meaning that local leaders have the flexibility they need to drive forward the most important issues in their communities.
"However this is not the end of the story but the beginning. By April 2008 all areas will have moved to a 'new look' LAA, enabling them to work in partnership with even more local bodies with even greater flexibility to tackle local priorities. The new LAA is all about practical solutions for issues which really matter for local people. This is devolution in practice, on the ground."
High on the Thursday's agenda will be ensuring that partners understand the future of LAAs and the timetable for change. The event will provide an opportunity for partners to influence the design of future agreements and guidance and offer their insights into how the new approach is shaping up.
