The overall aim of LPSAs is to improve the delivery of local public services by focusing on targeted outcomes with support from Government. LPSAs were piloted with 20 authorities starting in late 2000.  This pilot was well received and a rollout to all upper tier authorities began in September 2001.  All but three of the 150 upper tier authorities have elected to negotiate an LPSA and the majority of agreements have now been completed.  Second generation LPSA negotiations are now underway; these agreements will allow local authorities and their partners to tackle the priorities for improvement locally and provide a renewed focus on improving final outcomes for local people.

Both local and central government have reaffirmed a shared commitment to deliver better public services.  This is the leading theme of the Government's work in this Parliament. It is central to the Local Government Agenda’s (LGA) for local government.

To do this, there needs to be focus on the improvements "on the ground" that people want.  This means being ready to tackle issues that are difficult because they cut across the traditional boundaries of policy and organisation, centrally or locally.  It means building up the contact and cooperative working with others that can help to achieve the results people want locally.

Local Public Service Agreements, would play a key role in the Government's plans for this Parliament and will help by giving a focus to what needs to be done on the dozen issues of the greatest importance. Some of these issues will be Government priorities, common to many areas; others will be particular local priorities.  The agreements cover both.

Twenty local authorities, differing widely in their characteristics, concluded Local PSAs earlier this year.  They are convinced that the agreements will make a difference to what they can achieve for the people in their areas. Local PSAs work alongside Best Value, Local Strategic Partnerships, the Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy, and other measures specific to particular services, all contributing to delivering better services locally.

Local PSAs are a new way for local and central government to work together.  There are specific shared goals, help in achieving them, and cash rewards for success.  Local PSAs are also a big challenge. The targets to be achieved locally are explicit and demanding. Effective involvement of other organisations often needs new or stronger relationships to be built.  And the "something-for-something" character of the agreements gives focus in departments to authorities' suggestions for cutting "red tape" to help the achievement of the targets.

For more information on Public Service Agreements, please visit the Department for Communities & Local Governement (DCLG) website at:  www.dclg.gov.uk