Compact Debate Gets Underway

15 Jul 2008

A one-day conference to discuss the future of the Compact and the Commission for the Compact is being held at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Birmingham on Tuesday 9 September 2008.

The event is being organised by the Commission for the Compact in partnership with Compact Voice, the Office of the Third Sector and the Local Government Association (LGA). Key speakers will include Sir Bert Massie, Phil Hope MP, Minister for the Third Sector, and Simon Blake, Chair of Compact Voice and Chief Executive of Brook. Matthew Taylor, Chief Executive of the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA) and a former Chief Adviser on Political Strategy to the Prime Minister, will chair two lively interactive workshops.

Delegates from across government and the voluntary and community sector will be attending, including chief executives of local authorities, Local Compact officers, representatives from umbrella bodies and individual service deliverers in the voluntary and community sector, public service organisations, non-departmental public bodies and central government departments.

Sir Bert Massie CBE, Commissioner for the Compact, said:

“Earlier this week, I outlined my initial views and recommendations about the future of the Compact and the role of the Commission. Over the coming months we will be undertaking a wide consultation between the Compact partners and the Third Sector, and this free event will allow delegates to actively participate in the debate and play a part in helping shape the future status of the Compact.”

Phil Hope MP, Minister for the Third Sector, said:

“I am greatly looking forward to this event, which promises to be a lively exchange of views on the future of the Compact. The Government is committed to bringing the Compact up to date so that it is best placed to promote strong working relationships between government bodies and the third sector.

“The dialogue Sir Bert is leading is vital to ensuring we have a robust document and a strong Commission as the Compact enters its second decade.”

Simon Blake, Chair of Compact Voice and Chief Executive of Brook, said:

"The good and bad experiences of the sector shape the future of the Compact. Compact Voice is pleased this debate will enable you to do just that. Don't sit watching on the sidelines. A robust Compact is fundamental to improving lives and shaping policy. Attend the conference: help make the Compact robust."

Further information about ‘The Compact Debate’ event at the ICC in Birmingham on Tuesday 9 September 2008 is available on the Compact website at: www.thecompact.org.uk/compactdebate

Read Sir Bert Massie’s 7 July speech about the future of the Compact here: http://www.thecompact.org.uk/shared_asp_files/GFSR.asp?NodeID=101712

This free event is open for booking from Thursday 10 July 2008.

Notes for Editors

• The Compact was established in England in November 1998 and was inspired by the Deakin Commission report on the Future of the Voluntary Sector. It is an agreement that provides an overall framework for promoting effective partnership working between the Government and the voluntary and community sector. It aims to address areas of poor performance and sets out a statement of intent to work in partnership supported by five codes of practice. These five codes cover funding and procurement, community groups, Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) groups, volunteers and consultation.
• Established in April 2007, the Commission for the Compact is an independent body responsible for overseeing the Compact. It was set up to improve awareness of the Compact and its Codes of Good Practice, and to address the barriers to its adoption and implementation. The Commission works alongside the Office of the Third Sector, Compact Voice and the Local Government Association to achieve effective implementation of the Compact, and improve outcomes for both individuals and communities. It works with all stakeholders to take the Compact forward through increasing awareness, sharing good practice and carrying out research, looking at key themes that affect the relationship between statutory and voluntary sectors.

Useful download

Press Release - Compact Debate

For media enquiries, please contact:

Rebecca Morris, Head of Communications
Commission for the Compact
Tel: 0121 237 5913
Email: rebecca.morris@thecompact.org.uk

Catherine Fisher, Communications Officer
Commission for the Compact
Tel: 0121 237 5905
Email: catherine.fisher@thecompact.org.uk