Frequently Asked Questions
About LSPs
- What is a Local Strategic Partnership (LSP)?
- Don’t LSPs just do things that would be done anyway?
- LSPs only achieve what a good local councillor would, surely?
- The power of the LSP is the unaccountable power of an unelected QUANGO, isn’t it?
- Aren’t LSPs just talking shops?
About PtP
- What is Progress through Partnership (PtP)?
- Who funds PtP?
- How does PtP’s work fit into Improvement and Efficiency South East (IESE)?
- How can I find out more about what PtP does?
- What financial support can PtP offer LSPs?
About PtP Learning Events
- How can I book onto a PtP Learning Event?
- How much does it cost to attend a PtP Learning Event?
- When is the next PtP Conference?
- How can I register to attend the PtP Conference?
- How much does it cost to attend the PtP Conference?
- How frequently are PtP Conferences held?
About the PtP news service
- Who is the PtP Newswire (the monthly e-news sheet) for, and who does it go to?
- Who is PtP News (the quarterly newsletter) for, and who does it go to?
About the PtP Central Fund
- What is the PtP Central Fund?
- Why is the funding you provide to LSPs called the PtP Central Fund?
- Why is the PtP Central Fund sometimes called the draw down fund?
- How does our LSP access the PtP Central Fund?
- How does our LSP decide how to use the PtP Central Fund?
- What if our LSP doesn’t come up with any development needs for the draw down funding in your timescale?
- What other sources of funding are available for LSP development?
About the PtP Practitioner Associates
- What is a Practitioner Associate?
- What level of support can LSPs expect from Practitioner Associates?
- How can LSPs fund this service?
- How are Practitioner Associates selected?
- What training have the Practitioner Associates received?
- How much are Practitioner Associates paid per assignment?
- What support is there for Practitioner Associates?
About PtP case studies
What is a Local Strategic Partnership (LSP)?
A Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) is a group of organisations united in a common cause. It brings together at a local level the public, private, voluntary and community sectors so that different initiatives and services support each other. LSPs typically comprise a core group of organisations – the local authority, the health authority (Primary Care Trust), the police and the fire service – plus representatives from other statutory, business and voluntary sector organisations.
Don’t LSPs just do things that would be done anyway?
No. A successful solution to problems may look different to each partner in the LSP. Reaching agreement on what constitutes success is vital if people are going to work together. It requires a good understanding of the local area and local community, strong leadership, agreement on common goals and a willingness to take innovative approaches.
LSPs only achieve what a good local councillor would, surely?
LSPs need councillors because their understanding of the local community give context to the statistical data so often used to make decisions. Councillors’ electoral mandate also gives them an authority which other partners do not have, meaning they are well placed to lead partnership activities. What partnerships offer councillors is a forum through which they have access to a much wider range of resources than just the council’s. LSPs also create opportunities to lever new resources into the area. Councillors have influence, through the LSP, over the way all resources available to the community are used.
The power of the LSP is the unaccountable power of an unelected QUANGO, isn’t it?
No. The statutory guidance makes clear that councillors are expected to ensure that LSPs are effectively led. LSPs will only be QUANGOs if councillors are not engaged. The role of the councillor has always been as the advocate of the people they represent in influencing the use of council resources: the LSP is a structured extension of this. It is also important to remember that the Local Area Agreement (LAA), which forms a core part of the work of the LSP, has to be signed off by top-tier councils as the accountable body.
Aren’t LSPs just talking shops?
LSPs develop in response to local circumstances and are not all the same: they work differently in different areas. It is true that people talk a lot at LSP meetings – it is those conversations that build consensus that an issue is important enough to warrant a concerted effort by a number of partners.
What is Progress through Partnership (PtP)?
Progress through Partnership (PtP) is the support programme for Local Strategic Partnerships in the south east region. Read more.
PtP is funded by the government via Improvement and Efficiency South East (IESE), the South East Regional Improvement & Efficiency Partnership (RIEP), established to help the region's 74 local authorities in their drive to increase efficiency and improve services.
How does PtP’s work fit into Improvement and Efficiency South East (IESE)?
PtP was originally commissioned in 2006 by what is now Improvement and Efficiency South East (IESE), the government-funded regional improvement partnership. PtP is driven by the government’s strategic ambition for ‘all Local Area Agreements (LAAs) to be reaching their projected milestones and targets’, laid out in the IESE regional strategy. Building strong Local Strategic Partnerships (LSPs) is seen as a key part of delivering strong LAAs.
How can I find out more about what PtP does?
As well as this website, there is a monthly PtP Newswire (an email news round-up) and a quarterly full-colour newsletter called PtP News. To subscribe to either contact Emily, emily@seemp.co.uk, tel 01962 840664
What financial support can PtP offer LSPs?
PtP provides funding to LSPs with an annual grant called the PtP Central Fund.
How can I book onto a PtP Learning Event?
Please see the Learning Events section and follow the link to a booking form, or contact Emily Progress through Partnership (PtP) is the support programme for Local Strategic Partnerships in the south east region.
How much does it cost to attend a PtP Learning Event?
Nothing: it is free of charge. The cost of all Learning Events is covered by PtP programme funding from Improvement and Efficiency South East. However, PtP levies a cancellation fee (of typically £35) from those who book but then fail to attend, to secure the commitment of attendees.
When is the next PtP Conference?
The next Conference is on Tuesday 11th November 2008, at The Brit Oval, London, from 10am to 4pm. For your free conference place fill in the booking form or contact Emily at PtP emily@seemp.co.uk
How can I register to attend the PtP Conference?
Please see the PtP Conference section on this website and follow the link to a registration form, or contact Emily emily@seemp.co.uk, tel 01962 840664
How much does it cost to attend the PtP Conference?
Nothing: it is free of charge. The cost of the Conference is covered by PtP programme funding from Improvement and Efficiency South East. However, PtP levies a cancellation fee (of typically £65) from those who book but then fail to attend, to secure the commitment of delegates.
How frequently are PtP Conferences held?
They are held annually, usually in the autumn.
Who is the PtP Newswire (the monthly e-news sheet) for, and who does it go to?
The PtP Newswire is for anyone involved in, or interested by, Local Strategic Partnerships (LSPs), especially at an operational level. LSP Officers are its core target readership.
Who is PtP News (the quarterly newsletter) for, and who does it go to?
PtP News is for anyone involved in, or interested by, Local Strategic Partnerships (LSPs), especially at a strategic level. LSP Chairs and public sector Chief Executives are its core target readership.
It is a grant for LSPs made available on an annual basis, for LSP capacity-building in the south east region. This year (2008/09) it is for £4K per LSP. Read more.
Why is the funding you provide to LSPs called the PtP Central Fund?
PtP is the support programme for all 73 LSPs in the south east region, and therefore acts as a central point for this resource.
Why is the PtP Central Fund sometimes called the draw down fund?
No good reason: they are the same thing.
How does our LSP access the PtP Central Fund?
PtP notifies every LSP contact in the south east region, by email, of when the Central Fund is open for applications. For more information about this year’s fund click here.
How does our LSP decide how to use the PtP Central Fund?
Full criteria for how the fund can, and cannot, be used is accessible on this website. Each LSP is free to decide how to use the fund themselves, within these criteria. Advice and guidance on what other LSPs are doing, and what has worked well, is always available from PtP.
What if our LSP doesn’t come up with any development needs for the draw down funding in your timescale?
Sometimes it is possible to negotiate dates of use with PtP: our priority is to develop the capacity of LSPs across the region.
What is a Practitioner Associate?
A Practitioner Associate is someone who can provide a range of expertise and experience in areas such as partnership development, governance, neighbourhood-level working, citizen engagement, community and voluntary sector involvement, sustainability and performance and project management.
Some Practitioners also have expert policy knowledge in the core delivery themes of LAAs, such as children’s services, social and health care, community safety and economic development. Practitioner Associates also possess knowledge of the region and the challenges it faces, experience of working with strategic partnerships, an understanding of the need for targets and evidence coupled with a willingness to try innovative approaches.
What level of support can LSPs expect from Practitioner Associates?
Practitioner Associates provide support according to the specific needs of partnerships. These are identified as part of the self-assessment process but partnerships may also use the Practitioner Associate service to address emerging issues and concerns. The service assists partnerships in the development of change strategies, policies, and structures that drive service delivery. They serve as a critical friend, brokering internal agreement and facilitating the sharing of good practice between organisations.
How can LSPs fund this service?
The Practitioner Associate service is provided to LSPs free at the point of use, and is funded through PtP programme funding. Where the expertise does not exist within the region, PtP will source it from its wider pool of associates and accredited improvement agencies such as the IDeA and the DCLG’s Neighbourhood Renewal Advisers.
How are Practitioner Associates selected?
Initially short-listed by the PtP team, the selected associates have been approved by the PtP steering group and the accountable body.
What training have Practitioner Associates received?
Full training is provided to all PAs. This involves training sessions and a continuing professional development programme. Accredited support in coaching and mentoring is also offered to PAs, so that they provide real added value to the client. PAs also have the opportunity to attend training and events coordinated by the PtP programme.
How much are Practitioner Associates paid per assignment?
There is a standard fee of £250 per day. The fee can be claimed by the individuals, or on behalf of their employer.
What support is there for Practitioner Associates?
The Practitioner Associates have pages on the PtP website to highlight the areas where they could provide support and add value to LSPs. There is also a dedicated part of the Community of Practice, of which all PAs are members, to offer peer support and share experiences and practice. This is a confidential and secure discussion area and resource tool for practitioners.
Can I receive a hard copy of a case study?
Yes, if it has been produced as a printed version — please contact Emily emily@seemp.co.uk, tel 01962 840664
This page updated by Alison Craig on 5 November 2008