FAQs
Q. Why form a Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) at all?
A. The reasons for forming an LSP were originally set out in the Local Government Act 2000 and is very much supported by Central Government. It is part of a drive for wider involvement in the delivery of public services and leadership from all sectors.
Q. What powers does an LSP have?
A. It is an advisory body which is non-statutory and non-executive. However it is increasingly absorbing statutory responsibilities such as Children's Trusts and Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships. The roles and responsibilities of LSPs are further defined in a new Act / guidance.
Q. How are the different sectors represented?
A. In the early consultations, individuals volunteered to participate as partners and they were selected to cover as wide a range as possible. There is no direct cascade of representation to other groups except in the voluntary sector, but the individuals are representative of the interest and views in their sectors, and in particular, the thematic Working Groups and District (s) LSP's.
Q. Is this just another talking shop?
A. No. The people around the table are there in an entirely voluntary capacity and are only prepared to participate if they can contribute to positive outcomes for Kent. The Partnership is, therefore, very action-focused and ensures it adds value to the issues it engages in or does not get involved. It is entirely non-bureaucratic in its dealings and tries to provide support to existing structures and influence through lobbying on a cross-sector basis.
Q. Is the Partnership part of KCC?
A. No. The Partnership is independent of KCC and represents the members of the various sectors. KCC provides the administrative back-up and appoints the management and team to support the Partnership. The Directorates of KCC are also heavily engaged in providing support through policy officers and resources from their departments.
Q. Why are there so many partnerships?
A. Different partnerships serve different purposes and they each have limited capacity to influence the particular range of events. The Kent Economic Board is focused on inward investment and business issues and their Chairman is a member of the Kent Partnership, which provides a crucial link. Districts have a stake in sub-county LSP's and partnerships that focus on local issues and they work closely together.
Q. How does the Kent Partnership seek the wider views of the community?
A. There was wide consultation in creating the Vision for Kent, which is the capstone document that drives the Partnership. This was further reviewed in 2005/06. An annual conference takes place in November at which a wide range of stakeholders are invited to participate and contribute their views, and in the process, monitor the Partnership's progress towards achieving the Vision for Kent. Should you wish to attend the Stakeholders' Conference, please email us.
Q. How much does the Partnership cost?
A. KCC underwrites the cost of the management and team, otherwise there is no money involved in the Kent Partnership. See separate details on the Kent Agreement concerning pooled funding and performance reward grant.
Q. Can you point to any definite successes of the Kent Partnership?
- Local Area Agreement (Kent Agreement)
The Kent Partnership successfully led negotiations and secured overall sign-up to the Local Area Agreement pilot for Kent and to Kent Agreement 2. This has brought various agencies together and has been a catalyst for greatly improving working relations across all sectors. The 1st Agreement, completed in March 2008, and the settlement of Performance Reward Grant will be known by January 2009. Full details on the development / approval of Kent Agreement 2 are shown in the section under 'Kent Agreement.'
- Engaging Communities
The partnership has played a lead role in developing and facilitating new and improved ways of engaging communities through;
- Working with the voluntary and community sector to develop the Kent partners Compact and sponsoring a successful Big Lottery Fund (0.48m) for Kent CAN.
- Working with Action for Communities in Rural Kent (and other partners) to raise the profile of parish planning (conference in November 2006) and to attract more resources.
- Working with the Police and District Council to pilot the Partners and Communities Together (PACT) initiative in Tonbridge and Malling.
- New Sustainable Community Strategy
The Partnership completed an extensive consultation process of, and has formally adopted, the new sustainable community strategy called "Vision for Kent". This document sets out the aspirations for Kent over the next twenty years and has had significant input from people across the whole of the county. It has led on the Kent Environment Strategy and will monitor the implementation and actions which flow from these strategies.
- Kent Business Community Investment Forum
The Kent Partnership and Pfizer have taken the lead on an initiative designed to improve the corporate social responsibility agenda of businesses across the county, helping them to provide training advice and support to their communities.
- Education Business Links
The Partnership bid for, and secured the Learning and Skills Council Education Business Links Contract for 2005/6. With the extra financial support of Kent County Council, providing an additional £570,000 over three years from 2005-08, KCC was able to submit a cross-directorate bid which has led to the setting up of a countywide service called Kent Works.
- Schools
The Partnership has helped unlock a potential £14.4m of funding and has helped contribute towards Education and Libraries target of achieving 95% of Kent schools with specialist status by 2006. The Partnership also worked closely with KCC Education and the private sector to bring forward a portfolio of new Academies (e.g. Marlow Channel and Minster.)
- Partnership Best Practice
The partnership team provides a 'Centre of Excellence' expertise pod e.g. on governance and in workshop training for partnership managers.
Q. What is the lobbying power of the Partnership?
A. All the Partnership members are the highest in their own businesses or fields and join together to provide a powerful voice which is more than the sum of the parts. The principle of the Partnership is that substitutes and representatives do not usually attend but that it remains focused on the highest level in each organisation. This maintains its ability to deliver on promises and adds to the lobbying influence. The Kent Partnership has been a powerful lobbying voice for the county on CTRL Domestic Services, Cliffe Airport proposal, smoking in public places, the South East Plan and the retention of an independent Kent police force. It regularly lends bid support to organisations / partnerships seeking to deliver new and challenging initiatives. Successes are shown in the 'Engaging Communities' section above.
Q. How often does the Partnership meet?
A. The Partnership itself meets 4 times a year and the Working Groups each meet 4 times a year, but most of the work goes on between meetings in direct links between partners and through the co-ordinated activities of the Partnership team.
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