Delivering on the Compact: celebration and challenges

11 Apr 2007

Celebration and challenges share the agenda as the Commission for the Compact launches its first work programme to take the Compact forward.

Delivering on the Compact: celebration and challenges

Celebration and challenges share the agenda as the Commission for the Compact launches its first work programme to take the Compact forward:

Commissioner for the Compact, John Stoker, welcoming Ed Miliband, Minister for the Third Sector, to the launch today in London said: “We have much to celebrate, and I am proud to have been appointed as the first Commissioner for the Compact. Challenges remain. There is still a gap between commitment to Compact principles of good partnership and their full delivery. I welcome the willingness of leaders in central and local government and the voluntary and community sector have shown to acknowledge this gap, and the commitment they have expressed to work to close it and to promote best practice in partnership.

“Our first programme of work has four aims to help with this which will take the Compact forward on performance, policy development, learning and promotion. In our work, we will promote and build on good practice: where necessary, we will also offer clear and open criticism, but we will remain constructive.

“I welcome the commitment the government has expressed to fostering the well-being of the third sector, and the investment it has made since 2002 in helping to build its infrastructure and capacity. For the sector, partnership with central and local government brings extra opportunities to work for the people, causes and communities they serve, within a rapidly evolving landscape. Both government and the Commission need to pay close attention to partnership in areas such as local government and health; where large scale change is under way that has a close bearing on Compact principles.

“The Commission for the Compact will be seeking the views of its stakeholders on the draft plan with the help of a structured questionnaire. I look forward to hearing your views on our proposed work programme, and to working with colleagues from both sectors to make partnerships more successful and more effective.”

Since their appointments in October and January, the Commissioner and Chief Executive, Angela Sibson have been engaging widely with stakeholders in both sectors, assembling a small interim team which is now in place and developing the draft business plan. The Commission's ways of working will include:

• Developing an evidence base on the Compact's progress, and looking thematically at key areas and specific issues including funding, and publishing recommendations for improvement.
• Developing tools to assess organisations' performance in meeting the Compact
• Reviewing and consulting on the Compact and Codes to produce a shorter sharper statement of the agreed commitments
• Following key areas of government work to ensure that national, regional and local frameworks lock in Compact principles of good partnership at every opportunity.

The Commission for the Compact is not an ombudsman, but will aim to identify wider lessons from cases where problems have arisen.

Ends

For enquiries contact Richard Stone 020 7520 2511 richard.stone@ncvo-vol.org.uk

Read John Stoker's speech
Read Ed Miliband's speech

To see the full version of the Commission Business Plan and details on sharing your views, go to: http://www.thecompact.org.uk/information/100018/100028/business_plan_2007_8/

To see the Compact Action Plan 2006-08 and report to Parliament, go to: http://www.thecompact.org.uk/information/100018/100221/annual_meeting/

For more information on Annual Meeting Commendations go to: http://www.thecompact.org.uk/information/100022/100225/annual_meeting_commendations/

Notes

Commission for the Compact Business Plan Summary of Points

The Commission for the Compact will drive better practice and better results:

• by finding and celebrating excellence – good practice and the inspirational people who are leading it;
• by our independence, starting from the evidence rather than any particular agenda
• by establishing ourselves in a rapidly changing policy landscape. We will aim to be closely and effectively involved where, as in local government and the Health Service, Compact principles have a particular bearing on change, and through input to the Treasury Review of the role of the Third Sector and its work on sustainable fair funding;
• by giving prominence to Compact principles designed to give the VCS a voice in the design of policies and programmes, not just those concerned with funding
• by being open and clear in stating where better performance is needed;
• when we have criticisms to make, by also offering constructive suggestions;
• by taking an overview of the guidance available and making it easier for partners to find the advice they need; and
• by championing and enabling cultural change through leadership and training.

The Compact
The Compact is the agreement between government and the voluntary and community sector in England to improve their relationship for mutual advantage. It sets out the statement of intent to work in partnership and is supported by five codes: funding and procurement, community groups, BME groups, volunteers and consultation.

99% of local areas in England are committed to better partnership working between local government, local public bodies and local voluntary and community organisations through Local Compacts. Local Compacts are becoming living documents that inform the whole range of joint working at a local level, from police working with the community sector to tackle anti-social behavior to social services improving their contracting with social care organisations.

Celebrating and innovating
Sharing good practice is key to the Compact and the aims of the Commission. The Commission will be building upon excellence demonstrated through the Compact Annual Meeting commendations issued each year that demonstrate the Compact in action. A record 28 were awarded in 2006; over 60 commendations have been awarded since 2003 to national, regional and local public and third sectors.

The Commissioner and Chief Executive
John Stoker, the Commissioner for the Compact, was Chief Charity Commissioner for England and Wales from 1999 to 2004 and during 2005 was Chief Executive of the London Bombings Relief Charitable Fund. Angela Sibson, Chief Executive, was formerly Chief Executive of Relate.