Cumbria Strategic Partnership

Partnership Information

How the Partnership has been developed

The Cumbria Strategic Partnership (CSP) has been established since 2001. It was established to help Cumbria to think and speak with a single voice and to be clear about its strategic priorities, particularly when influencing policy development within the North West region and beyond.

The first full meeting of the CSP took place in January 2002. The Partnership initially comprised some 50 partners, all with a countywide strategic role, and including Cumbria County Council, each of the six District Councils and the Local Strategic Partnerships (LSPs).

The CSP has evolved into the body that is now widely accepted as being the hub of countywide activity. The Partnership meets as a full stakeholder group four times a year, and is supported by an Executive Board, which has delegated authority to take decisions on behalf of the partnership. The Executive Board meets eight time a year.

Partnership News

Partnership News is published to keep all partners and stakeholders informed on all partnership developments. This includes the development of the new Community Strategy and the new Local Area Agreement and also any partner developments.

A new edition of Partnership News will be placed on this web page at regular intervals and an email alert will be sent out to all partners and key stakeholders. The newsletter will bring you news from a range of partnerships that work in Cumbria. If you would like to be added to the distribution list or if you would like to add content or comment on the newsletter please contact louise.wilkinson@cumbriacc.gov.uk

Partnership Support

The CSP is supported by a small team with responsibility for the management of the business of the CSP, and its Executive Board. This includes providing support and coordination across a range of activities undertaken by the Partnership.

The process of developing and refreshing the Community Strategy and the LAA has had a positive impact on partnership working in Cumbria. A wide range of partners are contributing to the development and delivery of the Community Strategy and the LAA. The articulation of priorities for Cumbria and the coordination of delivery against those priorities provide a clear framework for improving outcomes for all communities across Cumbria. Cumbria's ability to be a strong voice at regional and national level will also be enhanced resulting in priorities receiving appropriate consideration and funding opportunities from regional and national bodies.

The CSP also has a key role in the coordination of the new National Performance Framework. This will form the basis of the Government's new inspection regime for local areas, called the Comprehensive Area Assessment (CAA), which will come into operation in 2009. This assessment will focus on the delivery and improvement of outcomes across the county. The Partnership Improvement Programme will evolve to ensure that partners across the county can meet these challenges.