07 March 2008
The duty on local authorities and other public bodies to co-operate on Local Area Agreement targets came into force this week.
The 2007 Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act set out a duty on top-tier authorities to prepare an LAA in consultation with partner bodies.
It also requires the local authority and public sector partners — including NHS organisations and the police — to co-operate on meeting up to 35 targets agreed under the LAA.
In November, local government minister John Healey announced 11 demonstration zones for a new wave of LAAs, aimed at identifying the 'blockages and barriers' to the partnerships.
Communities Secretary Hazel Blears said: 'People should be able to rely on services which are all working in partnership, not working across each other. Responsive, joined-up services are already a reality, and with these new powers they are only going to improve.'
A Local Government Association spokesman said LAAs were working well. 'We are very pleased they are being rolled out even further.'
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