Partnership options for local authorities
A range of partnership working options are available to local authorities, each with varying degrees of integration, and based on different models or forms. It is of course up to authorities themselves to decide what level and form of partnership working is appropriate for their circumstances and local needs, noting the benefits it can bring.
Options can be broadly divided into ‘first stage’ and ‘advanced stage’ partnerships. Authorities at the first stage often begin with informal joint working arrangements, based on smaller scale projects and co-operation. They may pool small levels of funding to pay for improvements to specific services or systems, but are unlikely to formally share governance/decision-making arrangements or administrative functions and resources.
Examples of first stage partnerships include informal joint working supported by a non legally-binding Memorandum of Understanding (‘MoU’), or where waste collection authorities in a particular area enter into contracts or Service Level Agreements (‘SLAs’) with the relevant waste disposal authority.
Page published: 15 June 2009