LNP FAQ

What are local neighbourhood partnerships?

Local Neighbourhood Partnerships or LNPs are meetings for the council, its partners and members of the public to be able to discuss issues at a local level.

LNP's will help local people to be more involved in matters that affect them in the area where they live.

There are nine partnership areas - Aldridge South and Streetly,Blakenhall and Bloxwich, Brownhills and Aldridge North, Darlaston, Palfrey and Pleck, Pelsall and Rushall, Pheasey and Paddock, St Matthews and Birchills Leamore and Willenhall.

Why have they been set up?

Local Neighbourhood Partnerships will help the council to work with its partners and residents at a more local level.

They will encourage residents to get more involved in local issues along with other organisations including the police, Primary Care Trust, schools, voluntary and community groups.

The council is committed to work closely with residents and believes they should have the opportunity to make their views and opinions known on issues that affect them.

How do they affect me?

The partnerships affect everyone who lives in the borough, they give people the chance to have their say on local issues. Members of the public are encouraged to attend all partnership meetings.

How do they affect services provided locally?

The idea of all partnership meetings is to discuss issues at a local level with the council and its partners directly. All topics raised at the meeting will be discussed openly and in person with the relevant organisations.

Who sits on the partnerships and why?

A variety of people will sit on the partnerships, these include: -

Councillors will represent their wards in each area.
Council appointed partner organisations from the police, Primary Care Trust, primary and secondary schools.
LNP appointed representatives from local community, voluntary and interest groups.
The chairperson
Council officers to give advice, answer questions and take a record of decision.
Members of the public.

How do they work?

Each partnership will meet once every three months and each area will have a different agenda outlining key topics for discussion.

The venue, date and time of each meeting will be available to members of the public in advance. Agendas will also be available.

How does this help local democracy?

Key members of the community and council will attend each partnership meeting and will be able to feedback the views of local residents and partners on a number of issues.

How can I get involved?

Members of the public are welcome to attend partnership meetings and will have the opportunity to ask a question or raise an issue at the meeting by giving advance notice in writing or by raising their hand during the question time session.

They can also enter a petition by raising their hand at the meeting. Members of the public will need to show they live in the partnership area.

Following the local elections publicised public meetings will be held so local people can see how to become involved in the partnerships.

The council will actively make all meetings as accessible as possible to the public and with advance notice will provide interpreting and translation facilities.

Will my council tax be affected?

No, council tax will not be affected.

What happens with local planning decisions?

Local planning decisions will continue to go before the council's development control committee.

This single committee controls all major development in the borough and allows councillors and residents to put their views forward during the meeting prior to making decisions.

Will local government elections be affected?

The local elections will not be affected. Following the elections councillors from each ward will sit on a partnership to represent their ward.

Why was it decided to have nine neighbourhoods?

There are nine partnerships which geographically span either two or three wards which covers the whole of the borough.

How do we know whether they are working?

Each partnership will be evaluated to make sure they are undertaking and fulfilling their role and objectives.

They include to work with local people in decision making, make recommendations, and to identify opportunities for better partnership working.