About the Somerset Strategic Partnership

The Somerset Strategic Partnership is a Local Strategic Partnership for the area of Somerset. It is a single

body that brings together, at a local level, councils, statutory agencies (including health, police, fire and rescue etc), the private and community and voluntary sectors. There are partners from over 20 organisations represented in the partnership from across these sectors.

The Local Government Act 2000 gives Local Authorities powers to take steps which they consider are likely to promote the wellbeing of their area or inhabitants. It also pllaces authorities under a duty to develop community strategies, together with other bodies, for their purpose. These provisions are intended to give local authorities increased opportunities to improve the quality of life of their local communities. Local Strategic Partnerships have developed following this Act.

Our overall vision is of a dynamic, successful, modern economy that supports, respects and develops Somerset's distinctive communities and unique environment. The County for us represents a balanced, sustainable heritage - a legacy that makes Somerset a landscape for the future.

Across Somerset, there are communities and individuals who do not have the same quality of life, job prospects or life expectnacy as others might. People living in rural communities can find it more difficult to gain access to services they need. Endeavouring to 'narrow the gap' has emerged as really important in Somerset and features strongly in the Somerset Sustainable Community Strategy which outlines more details about the SSPs vision including 6 aims and 19 challenges.