Local Strategic Partnerships

Local strategic partnerships (LSPs) are now the Government's favoured vehicle for tackling problems in urban and rural localities. Their introduction was prompted by a perceived need for strategic partnership across sectors and agencies. However, much remains to be learnt about how they can best operate and where they fit within wider governance structures. This practical report draws on the experiences of New Commitment to Regeneration (NCR) pathfinders, which have been an influential model for LSPs, to identify lessons for good practice. Amply illustrated by case study examples, the report demonstrates "what works" in effective strategic partnerships and highlights implications for partner organisations and the role of government. "Local strategic partnerships: Lessons from New Commitment to Regeneration": locates current developments in the context of evolving urban policy; identifies critical success factors for strategic partnerships; discusses the dimensions of whole systems change necessary for partnership working; indicates key challenges and tasks for LSPs and their partners; and points to the need to redefine central-local relationships.
This report is aimed at anyone with an interest in regeneration and governance and particularly for those at national, regional and local levels who want to make LSPs work.