This document discusses new models of strategic cooperation between local authorities and partners for planning purposes. It examines strategic planning and investment frameworks led by local authorities but with support from partners on priorities and delivery. These frameworks are voluntary, develop strategic evidence to support investment cases, and help authorities cooperate on growth that may create winners and losers. The document also looks at the roles of Local Enterprise Partnerships and Combined Authorities in strategic planning and notes lessons learned, including the need for strong leadership, shared resources, evidence-based priorities, and alignment of investment across organizations.

1. Good Practice in Strategic
Planning
Catriona Riddell, POSe

2. New models of strategic cooperation
Strategic planning & investment frameworks
Local authority led but support from partners re priorities
and delivery
•Shared, voluntary governance model
•Basis for ‘making the case’ for investment e.g. via LEP
SEP
•Based on shared strategic evidence
•Supports ‘duty to cooperate’
•Based on voluntary willingness of partners to share growth
accepting there will be winners and losers
•Developed on both functional and admin geography

3. New models of strategic cooperation
Local Enterprise Partnerships
•Long term spatial frameworks being developed to help
integrate strategic spatial priorities with economic and
transport priorities of SEP
•Local Authority led but being done under the auspices of the
LEP.
•Only really works where strategic planning geography
aligned with LEP geography
•Sensitivities around setting housing distribution and issues
around accountabilities.

4. New models of strategic cooperation
Combined Authorities
•Statutory basis for governance
•5 combined authorities now but may be more in future
•Existing powers for transport & economy but legislative
changes needed to include strategic planning
•Government’s model of choice - POS and TCPA promoting
CAs in their manifestos
•Need to consider whether CAs can work in areas outside city
regions
•Greater Manchester CA now progressing spatial framework
for city region as statutory joint DPDs

5. New models of strategic cooperation
Lessons so far:
•All long term frameworks
•Governed by formal ‘voluntary’ arrangements
•Strong political (and officer) leadership
•Supported by shared resource (very small) providing
expertise and impartial advice
•Geography based on what makes sense to LAs - some
cases established geography (e.g. county), other cases
functional (e.g. city region, LEP)
•Framework seen as a corporate responsibility

6. New models of strategic cooperation
Lessons so far (contd):
•Evidence based essential to support local plans
•SA process used to help inform options but not a
requirement
•Clear strategic priorities (short, med and long term)
•Not a ‘motherhood and apple pie statement’ – clear
steer for local plans (and other decision-making) with
spatially specific priorities.
•Provide a framework for aligning investment priorities of
others (e.g. EA, HA, HCA)

7. New models of strategic cooperation
Lessons so far (contd):
•Evidence based essential to support local plans
•SA process used to help inform options but not a
requirement
•Clear strategic priorities (short, med and long term)
•Not a ‘motherhood and apple pie statement’ – clear
steer for local plans (and other decision-making) with
spatially specific priorities.
•Provide a framework for aligning investment priorities of
others (e.g. EA, HA, HCA)