Local area agreement

Local Area Agreements (LAAs) are three-year agreements between central government and a local area.

The priorities of Southwark's LAA reflect those of the sustainable community strategy, Southwark 2016. This sets out the long-term vision for the future of the borough. It was agreed in 2006 by the borough's local strategic partnership, the Southwark Alliance. 

Southwark's LAA is in two parts. The first part - narrative of place - sets out the background to the LAA. This includes information about the social make up of the borough and the reasoning behind our local priorities. Reflecting the priorities of Southwark 2016, it is concerned with improving the life chances of individual local people, the physical and environmental of the borough and improving public services.

The second part of the LAA is a series of performance indicators and targets that have been agreed by the Southwark Alliance and central government. Its main areas of focus are children and young people, improving vocational skills, increasing the number of local people in employment, supporting business activity, improving the health of the borough's population, reducing crime, improving the environment and increasing the supply and quality of housing.

Southwark's LAA was agreed in March 2008 and will run until 31 March 2011.

It will be monitored by the Southwark Alliance. Progress will also be measured by various government-appointed inspection services, through the comprehensive area assessment.