What We Do

Introduction

The Sustainable Community Strategy for East Sussex

Community planning and local strategic partnerships in East Sussex

Local Area Agreements

A Local Area Agreement (LAA) is a three year contract negotiated between central government and local government setting out the priorities for a local area and how these will be tackled in partnership. The LAA also provides a way of strengthening partnerships and partnership working, pooling budgets and streamlining performance management systems.

The LAA is one of a number of ‘action plans’ that will help deliver the priorities set out in the Sustainable Community Strategy for East Sussex, Pride of Place.

The East Sussex Local Area Agreement (LAA)

In East Sussex we are delivering the most demanding targets in our first LAA (2006-2009) and a new LAA (2008-2011) which has been submitted to Government for approval. The new LAA will reflect the priorities identified in the new Sustainable Community Strategy. Find out more about how we developed the new LAA and to view a range of useful documents go to developing the new LAA.

In East Sussex, both LAAs were negotiated by East Sussex County Council and East Sussex Strategic Partnership, and aim to be as inclusive of local partners as possible. Read the new Local Area Agreement draft submission to Government.

For information on how the new LAA will be measured, go to performance indicators and targets.

Performance indicators and targets
The new LAA has 49 performance indicators, including 16 focusing on education and early years.

Each performance indicator will have targets to help us measure progress. The performance indicators have been drawn from a set of 198 National Indicators, to address local priorities. The 16 education and early years targets are ‘mandatory’ – meaning we are required by government to deliver them. Find out how we measure and report on our progress.

Management of the Local Area Agreement
Day to day management and delivery of the Local Area Agreement is co-ordinated by project managers responsible for particular targets who work for ESSP partner organisations. Their work is monitored by theme partnerships.

As the Accountable Body for the Local Area Agreement, East Sussex County Council is responsible for making sure the Local Area Agreement is delivered on time and within budget. East Sussex County Council does this by providing ESSP with a range of support services including administration, financial management, community consultation and planning, performance management and partnership development.