Local Area Agreements.

If there was any doubt about the significance of Local Area Agreements it has been blown away by the latest local government white paper.

In the words of the government web site -

"The aim of this White Paper is to give local people and local communities more influence and power to improve their lives. It is about creating strong, prosperous communities and delivering better public services through a rebalancing of the relationship between central government, local government and local people."

The government expects great things from LAA's - have a look at a recent speech by Yvette Cooper, the local government minister. They are seen as a way of developing the concept of "doorstep devolution" and encouraging communities and councils to work more closely.

Locally the LAA is moving ahead, check on progress here.