A national framework has been finalised for the development of 3-year partnership agreements between regional offices of the Arts Council of England (ACE) and local authorities across England.
It is intended that from April 2003 onwards, partnership agreements will replace the subscription arrangements that currently characterise relationships between the regional offices and local authorities. The aim is to encourage more consistent standards of service across the country and strengthened joint strategic working. The new framework aims to support ?equity, transparency, minimum standards and the exchange of good practice? in developing such partnership agreements, and emphasises collaboration on relevant strategies and development plans, as well as the sharing of information about funding allocations. The framework is deliberately comprehensive to allow detailed content of partnership agreements to be negotiated regionally, thereby reflecting regional and local priorities. A series of meetings between the relevant representative bodies, including ACE, the Institute of Leisure and Amenities Management, the National Association of Local Government Arts Officers (NALGAO) and the Local Government Association, are taking place through the autumn to discuss the implementation of the change from subscription to partnerships. Thus far it seems likely that transitional arrangements, including interim 1-year agreements, will be put in place for 2003/4. A full transfer to the new system is likely in 2004/5 when the current ACE financial planning cycle, based on existing subscription contributions, comes to an end. Full details of the Framework and its development have been published in the NALGAO newsletter, October 2002
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Published: 21-10-2002