Dorset Strategic Partnership

The Dorset Strategic Partnership (DSP) consists of a wide range of organisations, agencies and other partnerships, which share a commitment to improving the quality of life for people in Dorset.

A Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) is a single over-arching strategic partnership (an umbrella body) for an area, that brings together the public, private, business, voluntary and community sectors so that different services and initiatives support each other and work together for the benefit of local people.

It will take a broad overview of an area and assist strategic planning and decision-making, but should be close enough to day to day activity across the area to allow actions to be guided by local priorities. Ultimately the LSP will improve quality of life and well-being for communities and citizens.

There is a great deal of flexibility surrounding the composition, ways of working and work programme for an LSP. There is no one model and no real evidence of "success" yet. Dorset's LSP must be able to reflect the County's distinctiveness and circumstances. It must also recognise that Dorset does not exist in a vacuum. We particularly recognise the importance of the connurbations of Bournemouth and Poole and the need for the LSP to cultivate links and relationships with our unitary neighbours. Links with local partnerships are also crucial.