Introduction
Partnership and collaboration is now integral to the way local authorities seek to achieve their ambitions. It is an important means of building capacity and is fundamental to the Councils’ approach to achieving shared priorities. Cheshire West and Chester Council is committed to partnership working and believes that successful partnership working is essential to the delivery of better services to our customers and a successful West Cheshire. Increasingly our success as an organisation will be evaluated by how well we work with others to improve the well-being of people in West Cheshire.
Partnership working requires a culture of shared ownership and common working arrangements across organisation and professional barriers. It is hoped that, by providing support to officers and Members involved in partnership and collaborative working across the Council, we will develop a strong culture of effective partnering and thereby maximise the effectiveness of the partnerships we are involved with.
This Policy and Toolkit aims to set out the principles and processes which will guide the approach the Council takes to working in partnership. It describes our approach and aspirations for partnership working and is intended to guide work with both emerging and well established partnerships. It also provides links to detailed guidance and case studies.
Each section below contains a range of tools and guidance notes to support our partnership and collaborative working. It is also important to seek direct guidance from colleagues in Finance, Legal, HR and Performance as well as the Partnerships team at an early stage.
For further information, contact Andrea Mageean, Partnerships Adviser, on 01244 977561.