NCVO briefing on the localism agenda

Download the briefing here

What are LSPs, LAAs and NIs?

Local Strategic Partnerships(LSPs), made up of representatives from local authorities, health, police, local business and the VCS, are now the key mechanism for deciding on local priorities, determining where the majority of the local funding will go and delivering the work outlined in the Local Area Agreements (LAAs). LAAs are three-year agreements about the priorities and work of each local area and are made up of a number of National Indicators(NIs). They are now the only mechanism that central government uses to monitor local government. Out of a total list of 198 indicators, each local area has to include 17 compulsory indicators (primarily on education) and chooses a further 35 indicators, in consultation with local people and groups.

Use National Indicators to get women's needs on the agenda

This spreadsheet shows which of the four National Indicators which relate to women have been chosen by local areas in the UK.

• Search for your local area to see if they have included any of these indicators.
  
• If you think the National Indicators chosen by your local authority are wrong, then lobby your LSP now, in the run up to the local elections.
• Getting the support of other women’s organisations in your area will help to strengthen your argument.
  

Where are the women in LSPs?

Most women’s organisations are not engaged in any formal way with their Local Strategic Partnership. Research by WRC, Urban Forum and Oxfam (544KB) (2006) found that only 1.8% of the voluntary and community sector (VCS) representatives on LSPs were women’s organisations – despite making up 7% of the VCS.