Lancashire Local Area Agreement 2008-11: Economic Development theme

The economic development element of the Local Area Agreement (LAA) recognises that the private sector drives the Lancashire economy. It therefore identified two priorities: one to create the conditions for a prosperous Lancashire, the other to enable people to access opportunities for work, training and to start and run their own businesses.

• Raising productivity,
• increasing affordable homes,
• increasing skills, and
• employability

are the key areas of our work, consistent with the objectives of national, regional and sub-regional strategic documents. The focus of the Local Area Agreement is on community delivery, with responsibility being devolved to local strategic partnerships, but still within a county-wide coordination and managed reporting structure through the Lancashire Partnership.

The LAA team have forged truly joined up partnerships across the public, private and third sector in the county throughout the 2006-09 agreement. These partnerships have enabled us to develop innovative and sustainable practice and unique projects, changing the way we work.