What is Cumbria Strategic Partnership?
Cumbria Strategic Partnership (CSP) is the countywide local strategic partnership for
Cumbria, and brings together associations and organisations from across the Public,
Private and Third Sectors who wish to collaborate with each other to improve the quality
of life for people and places in Cumbria. By bringing together such a wide range of
partners, the CSP serves as the “partnership of partnerships” for Cumbria.
What does Cumbria Strategic Partnership Forum do?
The CSP Forum is a place where organisations from across the Public, Private and
Third Sectors can discuss their shared priorities, pressures and concerns at a strategic
level. It is the only opportunity many people have to come together in this way. The CSP
Forum creates the environment for partners to agree the priorities and actions to shape
the future of Cumbria which are expressed in the partnership’s common vision for
Cumbria – the Community Strategy.
The CSP Forum holds two business meetings each year, together with a series of Focus
On events which allow in depth discussion and evaluation of issues of
underperformance and strategic topics for partnership working in Cumbria.
The partnership facilitates and coordinates partners’ activity and fosters connections
between partners by considering new and emerging issues for Cumbria. Through shared
conversation and agreement, together with the exchange of expertise and ideas the
CSP Forum improves collaborative working across the county and provides an essential
framework which can be used to influence policy development and to encourage the
alignment of individual organisations’ business plans and budgets.
What is Cumbria Strategic Partnership’s Vision for Cumbria?
The CSP’s shared vision for Cumbria is the Community Strategy which outlines the
priorities and outcomes partner organisations are working towards over a 20 year period.
Work is currently underway to develop a Single Community Strategy signed up to by
all 7 local authorities in Cumbria, and supported by all partner organisations through
their own planning processes. This integrated Single Community Strategy is a highly
innovative step forward which Cumbria is pioneering. It is expected to be launched in the
Spring of 2011, and will greatly help Cumbria speak with ‘one voice’ to the region and
nationally.
For further information on Cumbria Strategic Partnership, please visit
www.cumbriastrategicpartnership.co.uk or contact the CSP Team at
[email protected] or 01768 812310
What is the structure of Cumbria Strategic Partnership?
The partnership consists of a Forum which brings together all partner organisations. In
addition, the elected leaders of local authorities, accountable chairs of statutory bodies
(NHS Cumbria, LDNPA, Cumbria Police Authority), and the Chair of Cumbria
Association of Local Councils come together in the Cumbria Leadership Board, which
is supported by Cumbria Chief Executives’ Group. The Chairs of countywide Thematic
Partnerships, and the district level Local Strategic Partnerships meet as the Joint
Chairs Group. Delivery at a countywide level is coordinated through the 5 Thematic
Partnerships – Children and Young People, Safer and Stronger Communities,
Environment, Healthy Communities and Older People, and Cumbria Vision (Economic
Development). The CSP itself is not an accountable body, and partner organisations
retain full autonomy of action. The role of Cumbria Strategic Partnership is to influence
the spending and action of partner organisations to deliver a better impact on shared
priorities and improved value for money.
Who can be a member of the CSP?
Any association or organisation which is working towards delivering the outcomes
identified in the Community Strategy is welcome to register as a partner of Cumbria
Strategic Partnership. Partners will receive invitations to the meetings of the CSP Forum,
Focus Ons, and other special meetings, together with regular briefings and updates on
partnership working in Cumbria. Any such body is invited to contact the CSP Team at
[email protected] 01768 812310
How can my organisation contribute to the CSP Forum?
The CSP ‘Principles of Partnership Working’ document, which is available from the
CSP Team, provides guidance for partners on how their organisation can contribute to
partnership working in Cumbria. Participation at meetings and events, communication
with other organisations and internally with one’s colleagues, and taking action to drive
forward partnership working and delivery are among the key pieces of suggested
guidance.
Is the partnership part of Cumbria County Council?
Cumbria County Council is an important partner in the CSP and plays a key role in the
support and co-ordination of the activities of the CSP. The County Council provides a
small budget as host organization which covers the costs of the CSP Team of three staff
based in the CSP Office at Redhills, near Penrith and are responsible for facilitating the
partnership. The CSP Team can be contacted at [email protected] or 01768
812310
For further information on Cumbria Strategic Partnership, please visit
www.cumbriastrategicpartnership.co.uk or contact the CSP Team at
[email protected] or 01768 812310