Local Area Agreement
What are local area agreements ?
They are a Government idea designed to improve the delivery of public services by bringing organisations together locally to focus on the issues that matter most.
The LAA-s contain a range of targets aimed at improving the performance of services over three years.
Some of these targets have a 'performance reward grant' attached. This means that a reward is paid by Government in return for a level of performance above and beyond what would normally be expected.
The reward is paid upon the successful delivery of the targets, at the end of the LAA and will be reinvested in partnership work.
The Hertfordshire Local Area Agreement
It has been agreed between Government, Hertfordshire County Council and key Hertfordshire partners, represented by Hertfordshire Forward 
(the countywide strategic partnership)
Hertfordshire County Council are the lead or 'accountable' authority. They are working together with all District LSPs and other Partners.
District LSPs and other Partners
The official launch of the Hertfordshire Local Area Agreement took place on the 1st April 2006 and it will be rolled out over the next three years.
Local Area Agreement structure
The LAA-s are structured around four themed areas, known as 'blocks':
- Economic Development and Enterprise
- Children and Young People
- Safer and Stronger Communities
- Healthier Communities and Older People
