Local Strategic Partnerships (LSPs) exist in nearly all local authority areas in England and Wales. They bring together representatives from the local statutory, voluntary, community and private sectors to address local problems, allocate funding, discuss strategies and initiatives. They aim to encourage joint working, and community involvement and prevent 'silo working' (i.e different agencies that share aims working in isolation) with the general aim of ensuring resources are better allocated at a local level.

The structure of a LSP is flexible to a large degree, and is decided at the local level. This has resulted in a diverse collection of partnerships across the country, both in terms of who is represented and how they work. Differences in structure and process influence the effectiveness of each partnership. Equally important are local political history, and the relationships between the different organisations and sectors involved.

LSPs in Suffolk consist of a range of public, private and voluntary and community organisations, and the community, working co-operatively on issues impacting on the local area. Each LSP prepares a Community Strategy which highlights the priorities for action within each locality.

Suffolk has six Local Strategic Partnerships at a district level and an overarching Suffolk Strategic Partnership (SSP) for the whole county.

The LSPs within the county working alongside the SSP are as follows (listed with the person responsible for their co-ordination:

Babergh East - This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it for Babergh East

Ipswich - This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it for Ipswich

Mid Suffolk - This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it for Mid Suffolk

Suffolk Coastal - This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it for Suffolk Coastal

Waveney -  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it for Waveney

Western Suffolk - This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it for Western Suffolk

Voluntary and Community Sector Representation on LSPs.

Each VCS Local Infrastructure Partnership (LIP) is involved within its LSP. At a local level, SAVO is working with each of the LIPs to ensure the VCS can get issues and concerns raised in the right place.

More information on this will be posted, but in the meantime contact Laura Hack at SAVO for more details. Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or Telephone 01473 275197