Section 21: Co-operation to reduce child poverty in local area
94.Section 21 (subsection (1)) imposes a duty on each responsible local authority to make arrangements to promote co-operation between the authority, each of its partner authorities, and such other persons or bodies as the authority considers appropriate. Subsection (2) provides that the purpose of these arrangements is to reduce, and mitigate the effects of, child poverty in the local authority’s area. Subsection (3) places a duty on the partner authorities to co-operate with the local authority. The section also enables the local authority to involve other persons or bodies, for example from the private and voluntary sectors, in the arrangements; however these persons or bodies are not under a duty to co-operate.
95.Subsection (4) provides that the responsible local authority and its partner authorities must have regard to guidance issued by the Secretary of State. This guidance is intended to cover the arrangements that responsible local authorities should put in place. It is expected that responsible local authorities and partner authorities will use existing partnerships, such as Local Strategic Partnerships, rather than setting up new arrangements.
96.Subsections (5) and (6) provide powers for responsible local authorities and their partner authorities to provide staff, goods, services, accommodation or other resources and to pool budgets in support of the arrangements made under this section.