What is the Local Area Agreement (LAA)
A local area agreement (LAA) is a three-year agreement between a local area and central government, based on local needs. The LAA sets out how local priorities will be met by applying local solutions. It also contributes to national priorities set out by the government.
The LAA is negotiated between the Havering strategic partnership (HSP) and the local authority.
The LAA allows services to be delivered by bringing together partners from the public, private and voluntary sectors. The LAA pools the funding for each partner into a single pot. This avoids duplicating effort and wasting money.
The LAA will enable the HSP to tell the Havering story and bring decision making closer to local people. The LAA will engage community leaders and local stakeholders in the setting and delivery of priorities.
From 2008 LAAs have been revamped to place more emphasis on area based service delivery, give more freedom in spending decisions and have fewer central targets and reporting systems. New LAAs should be more focused on the priorities that will make your area a better place to be. New LAAs include provisions laid out in the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007.
Key Aim
The key aim of the Local Area Agreement is to improve the quality of life for people in Havering.
Secondary aims:
To strengthen partnership working, promote community leadership, improve efficiency and coordination of service provision and improve central and local government dialogue.