Test Valley
Partnership - Terms of Reference
The Test Valley Partnership was formed on 18th April 2002.
In accordance with Government Guidance on Local Strategic
Partnerships, the Partnership is:
- An organisation that brings together at a local level
the different parts of the public sector as well as the private,
business, community and voluntary sectors so that different
initiatives and services support each other and work
together.
- Chaired by a representative from the public, private,
business, community or voluntary sector. (Nb. the Partnership is
not required to be chaired by the Local Authority.)
- A non-statutory, non-executive organisation. Ultimate
responsibility and accountability will remain with individual
organisations.
- A body that operates at a level which enables strategic
decisions to be taken close enough to individual neighbourhoods to
allow actions to be determined at a community level.
- Aligned with the boundaries of the Local
Authority.
A. Aims
The
overall aim of the Test Valley Partnership is to improve the
quality of life for people living and working in the Borough
through:
- Listening to the needs, aspirations and
views of local people.
- Co-ordinating those needs, aspirations
and views into a Community Strategy setting out a shared vision for
the future.
- Encouraging and facilitating closer
working between local organisations and agencies to better deliver
the aims and objectives set out in the Community Plan than could be
achieved by organisations working on their own.
- Overseeing the delivery, monitoring and
evaluation of the Community Plan.
- Reporting publicly on progress in
delivering the objectives of the Community Plan.
- Undertaking an ambassadorial role for
the Borough.
B.
Operational Arrangements
Leadership
The Chairman and Vice Chairman will be
selected annually by vote by members of the Test Valley
Partnership.
Steering Group
The Chairman will select members from
the Partnership to form a Steering Group to progress agreed actions
of the Partnership. Steering Group members will be selected for
their expertise with regard to a particular community priority. The
membership will vary from time to time to reflect changing local
priorities.
The
Steering Group will determine its own methods of working to support
the Partnership in:
- Developing short, medium and long term targets to achieve the
vision for the local area.
- Monitoring, tracking and chasing progress on the delivery of
those targets.
- Providing a forum to promote dialogue between local
organisations and to bring together plans, partnerships and
initiatives.
- More effectively targeting resources, sharing information,
promoting best practice and rationalising partnerships operating in
Test Valley where there is an overlap.
- Co-ordinating planning cycles and performance management
systems of member organisations and partnerships.
- Developing indicators to monitor the Partnership’s progress in
improving the economic, health, social and environmental aspects of
peoples lives.
Principles of working
Partnership
members will be asked to sign the Test Valley Partnership Accord
(see below) by which they commit to the principles of joint working
to improve the social, health, economic and environmental
well-being of people living and working in Test Valley
borough.
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The Test Valley Partnership
Accord
The
Organisations undersigned have distinct but highly complementary
roles. They are of one accord in their belief that close
partnership working between themselves and other organisations is
an essential requirement of improving the wellbeing of the local
area. These organisations commit to the objectives set out below
and to the following principles of joint working to make the best
use of available resources in improving the social, health,
economic and environmental wellbeing of Test Valley borough.
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