A Local Area Agreement provides a single framework through which government departments can allocate additional funding to local authorities and their partners. Their aim is to reduce and simplify funding streams and give more scope for local authorities to concentrate on local priorities. The funding focuses on the themes of children and young people, safer and stronger communities, and healthier communities and older people.
The Government sees Local Area Agreements as the delivery plan for the Sustainable Community Strategy focused on a relatively small number of priorities for improvement. In two tier areas, such as Hampshire, there is a single Local Area Agreement managed by the Hampshire Strategic Partnership.