This case study is about the restructuring of Harlows Local Strategic Partnership for 2020 to make it a lot more responsive and effective.

1)    Project Title

Harlow 2020 Local Strategic Partnership

2)    What did you do?

Restructure of the LSP

3)    What was the need?

• Harlow 2020 consisted of a Board, a Steering Group, the Safer Harlow Partnership (CDRP), the Harlow Children & Young People’s Strategic Partnership (CYPSP) and 6 thematic action groups
• It was found that some members needed to attend several action group meetings to cover cross-cutting areas
• Action groups were becoming tired, loosing their way and membership was dropping off

4)    What did you do?

• Following an all member away day and several smaller meetings, the decision was made to restructure the partnership
• All 6 of the thematic action groups were disbanded
• Individual target leads were identified, 14 in total, to drive forward the achievement of the SCS and LAA targets and to form the Steering Group who in turn reports to the Board.  Steering Group consisted representatives from:  Harlow Council (4), Essex County Council (1), West Essex PCT (1), Harlow Education Consortium (1) and voluntary sector (1).  Following the restructure, it is now:  Harlow Council (7), Harlow College (2), voluntary sector (2), Essex County Council (1), West Essex PCT (1) and Harlow Education Consortium (1).  Because the task and finish groups are more fluid the opportunities for organisations new to the LSP to dip in and out will be greatly improved.
• The Steering Group commissions Task & Finish Groups to make recommendations and undertake projects.  These groups will maintain the network of contacts previously connected through the action groups.

5)    What's changed?

• It’s early days but the Partnership feels invigorated, fresh
• Task & Finish Group members will have a sense of achievement
• Members will not need to attend several meetings

6) What's made it work? 

• The enthusiasm of the target leads, particularly those that are completely new to the Partnership and have had to take a lot on board in a short period of time
• Harlow 2020 has a Chair and Board that isn’t afraid to take a risk and try something innovative
• Harlow 2020 invests in a dedicated full time manager and a part time support worker

7) Lessons learnt?

• Too early to say

8) What next? 

• The LSP holds an annual away day each February and the restructure will be reviewed then

9) Contact details: Marina Sherriff, Project & Performance Manager
                                Tel: 01279 446831
                                Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Download the Harlow 2020 case study