Partnership Guidance
Working in partnership is a key area for local authorities and
other public bodies. The number of partnerships is growing, both in
response to central government requirements and as a result of
local initiatives. Working in partnership can be a productive way
of achieving more efficient and effective use of scarce
resources.
Since local councils have been charged with the duty to promote
the economic, social and environmental well being of their area,
the scope for partnership working has increased enormously. However
partnership working can be difficult to do well, it can be costly
if not properly managed and it may not deliver the desired outcomes
if the aims and objectives are not clear.
External reviews of the Council have commented that the
Authority "punches above its weight" in connection with the
partnership agenda but it is important for the Council to ensure
that any new partnerships it enters into "add value" to the
workings of the Authority and existing partnerships are regularly
reviewed in this respect.
The principal purpose of this guidance is therefore to provide a
framework against which to "test" potential new partnerships and
examine existing ones, to ensure that the Authority can be
reassured that the partnership under consideration is one which
contributes positively to its agenda.