14 December 2001
LSPs form a core part of New Labour's local government modernisation initiative. They bring together the public, private, voluntary and community sectors to identify local authority priorities in areas such as service provision and neighbourhood renewal.
Councillor Mike Storey, leader of Liverpool City Council, which has made successful use of LSPs, told a Local Government Association conference in London this week that they were 'unpopular with many elected members, but necessary initiatives that councils cannot ignore for fear of losing scarce funding'.
Storey added: 'Councillors are responsible to the public through the ballot box, but there are concerns over how the public or local authorities can bring private decision-makers to account.'
PFdec2001
