168 This study used a mixed methods approach that included:
• A policy and literature review.
• Desk-top quantitative analysis of existing research about the 388 LSPs and the 150 LAAs.
• A survey of the 388 LSPs: 191 LSP coordinators and 282 LSP board partners completed the survey.
• Twelve notable practice case studies representing different localities, local authority types, geographical regions, urban and rural areas and LAA rounds. Visits to each authority took place over three to four days. These visits included:
- one hundred and eighteen semi-structured interviews (with local authority chief executives, political leaders, LSP chairs and managers and a range of senior partners);
- six delivery chain workshops;I and
- observations of ten LSP meetings.
• Five lighter touch case studies enabled site comparison. There were 23 interviews in these authorities.
• Social network analyses in two notable practice LSPs to understand the formal and informal networks and the relationships enabling LSP success.
169 The case study councils were: Blackburn with Darwen, Bolton, Derby Derbyshire, Dorset, East Sussex, Gateshead, Hammersmith and Fulham, Leicestershire, Milton Keynes, Oldham, Oxfordshire, Sandwell, Sheffield, Stoke-on-Trent, Sunderland, and Warwickshire. The Commission thanks all those who helped the research.
170 Fieldwork took place between October 2007 and May 2008.
171 Jane Kennedy, Paul Seamer, Amie Brown and Roger Sykes undertook research for this study. Alison Parker provided the team with research support. Michael Hughes was the study director.
172 An external advisory group helped with developing the research framework and interpreting the findings. The Audit Commission thanks all those concerned. The external advisers were:
Matthew Booth, Head of Policy, London Borough of Ealing
Mike Chambers, Head of Partnerships, Government Office North West
Sandra Cullen, Children's Trusts Policy Adviser, DCSF
Professor Mike Geddes, Local Government Centre, Warwick University
Oliver Goode, LSP Futures Network
Andrew Jordan, LAA Policy Adviser, CLG
Laura Julve, LSP Policy Adviser, CLG
Mark Kenyon, Lead Adviser, IPF
Henry Peterson, Consultant, LGA
Professor Hilary Russell, Liverpool John Moores University
Sue Stevenson, Chair LSP Futures Network and Director of Cumbria Strategic Partnership, Cumbria County Council
Rachel Thompson, National Adviser, IDeA
Chris Wobscall, Assistant Director, Policy and Technical, CIPFA
173 The views expressed in this report are those of the Audit Commission.
I Audit Commission regional performance staff facilitated the delivery chain workshops.