A good definition of local authority partnerships should first and foremost draw attention to the processes which are integral to partnership working. In other words, it is important to identify processes which are necessary to the creation and maintenance of partnership. Local authority partnerships are a complex phenomenon. This complexity is, in part, because there are some fundamentally different types of partnership. There are different partner make-ups.
Some partnerships are just between local authorities.
Some are with private and voluntary sector organisations. Partnerships may be voluntarily co-ordinated confederations of seperate organisations which have agreed to work together on a strategic agenda. They may be underpinned by contracts. And they may involve joint ventures. They are not characterised by distinct fiscal regimes, organisational structures or modes of operation.