'Team Bury' the LAA Challenge - balancing delivery / need / resources
A Local Area Agreement (LAA) is a three year agreement that sets out priorities for a local area as agreed between central government and a local authority and the Local Strategic Partnership. LAAs simplify arrangements for funding from central government to enable local authorities to develop plans which provide a local response to issues that may form part of the government's national agenda. For example, if central government focuses on crime reduction the LAA could identify how this national agenda would be addressed locally.
Bury MBC and its partners are currently developing the terms of its agreement around 4 main themes or "Blocks". Each of the blocks identifies a number of priority outcomes, some of which are mandatory and reflected in all LAAs and others which need to be developed to reflect our local issues and concerns.
The Blocks for Bury are as follows:
- Children and Young People
- Safe and Stronger Communities
- Healthier Communities and Older People
- Economic Development and Enterprise
Once completed Bury LAA will be a three year programme which is required to be in place by 1 April 2007.
Statement by Hilda Harvey - Chair Bury LSP
Team Bury's LAA is a statement of 'strategic intent' by the LSP to deliver agreed priorities for Team Bury with central government over the next three years.
The quality and commitment of high level leadership is important.
Bury's LAA is shaped by the Government's 10 year strategy for Local Government, devolved decision making, local regional, national policies and strategies and those key local priorities identified by our communities.
The LAA submission builds on the LSP's development of Community Plans and understanding of local issues to build cross-cutting partnerships like: the Children and Young Persons Strategic Partnership, BurySafe, Economic Forum, Area Boards and the Strategic Partnership for Health and Social Care.
LAAs are now an important part in the partner convening process and these respective partnership forums will play an integral part in formulating successful outcomes.
Joined-up public/partner services working with engaged citizens in the co production of solutions in a regulating-consensual approach are at the heart-beat delivering Team Bury's vision and ambitions.
This balance addresses the pressures faced by all public/partners charged with delivering now and on their future individual and collective challenges.
There is an intent to establish 'first principles' thinking with key stakeholders in partner organisations. Specifically where a 'deeper-penetrating' relationship would deliver ambitions and stretch targets to work out the 'how's'.
Bury's LSP, in bringing together the public, private and voluntary sectors in this way can avoid duplication of effort and target resources at areas of the business that will best achieve sustainable outcomes.
Bury's Local Area Agreement - Draft Submission September 2006 (1277kb 61 page word doc)
Bury's Local Area Agreement - Final Submission - February 2007 (724k, 63 pages, pdf)
