LAAs were first introduced in 2004/05, starting with 20 pilot areas and extending across the country in three phases.
The Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 placed LAAs on statutory footing.
All upper-tier local authorities were required to draw up a new LAA for the three-year period 2008/09 to 2010/11.
As of June 2008, LAAs are in place for all 150 upper-tier local authority areas in England.
In October 2010 it was announced that LAAs were to be abolished by Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles.