What is the Compact Compact Voice July 2015

What is the Compact? Compact Voice July 2015

What is the Compact? • A voluntary agreement aiming to foster strong, effective partnerships between public bodies and the voluntary and community sector (VCS) • Every government department is signed up to the Compact • Has cross party support • Applies to England

A short history of the Compact 1998 The first national Compact is established 2000 Local areas encouraged to develop local Compacts 2009 The national Compact is refreshed 2010 The national Compact is renewed following the establishment of the coalition government

What’s in the national Compact? • Sets out five key outcomes which effective partnerships will help achieve • Specific commitments and undertakings for both government and the VCS • Seeks to establish a way of working that improves crosssector relationships for mutual advantage

Compact outcome 1 ‘A strong, diverse and independent civil society’ Photo courtesy of Mc. Kay Savage via www. flickr. com

Compact Outcome 2 ‘Effective and transparent design and development of policies, programmes and public services’ Photo courtesy of Pazaconyoman via www. flickr. com

Compact Outcome 3 ‘Responsive and high-quality programmes and services’ Photo courtesy of Alan Light via www. flickr. com

Compact Outcome 4 ‘Clear arrangements for managing changes to programmes and services’ Photo courtesy of Eric Lanning via www. flickr. com

Compact Outcome 5 ‘An equal and fair society’ Photo courtesy of houstondwi. Photos mp via www. flickr. com

About local Compacts • Reinterpret the principles of the national Compact to reflect local circumstances • There around 165 local Compacts across England • Signatories are typically the local authority and the local VCS infrastructure body, but can include other organisations

Local Compact Structures • Can be established at borough, district or county level • Compact groups, made up of local organisations from both sectors, take the lead on keeping their Compact relevant • A local Compact is usually supported by a mutually agreed action plan Photo courtesy of Keith Williamson via www. flickr. com

About Compact Voice • Represents the VCS on the Compact • Co-signatories of the national Compact • Work to support partnerships across sectors both locally and nationally • Support use of the Compact through influencing, sharing positive examples of partnership working in practice, and providing expertise

Further Information The national Compact: www. compactvoice. org. uk/sites/d efault/files/the_compact. pdf Find your local Compact: www. compactvoice. org. uk/compac ts-map Email Compact Voice for advice and support: compact@compactvoice. org. uk or visit the website: www. compactvoice. org. uk Photo courtesy of Mark Morgan via www. flickr. com