Assessing the Development of Sub-regional and Local Strategic Partnerships: A Comparison of Durham and Northumberland, North East, and Leicester, East Midlands

Abstract

This paper examines the development of strategic partnerships at local and sub-regional levels in the light of recent duty placed on local government to promote regeneration and overall well-being. The paper identifies four propositions for regeneration, as well as seven criteria for effective partnership functioning. It then attempts to empirically test these propositions and criteria on six cases of strategic partnerships in the North East and East Midlands. It argues that although there are indications of successful partnership arrangements for effective regeneration there are some dysfunctional elements that need to be considered