FAQ

Q. How was the Compact developed?

A. The Deakin Commission on the Future of Voluntary Sector was produced in 1996. The report called for a government/sector formal agreement to improve their relationship. This was followed in 1997 by the Labour Party publishing a report on the voluntary sector "Building the Future Together". In the same year a Conference of leading Sector Umbrella Bodies backed NCVO's proposal for a Compact. A Working Group on Government Relations was subsequently set up which now exists as Compact Voice (formerly Compact Working Group). In October 1997 a consultation on the draft Compact agreement started. The final Compact document was published and launched in 1998 with a foreword by the Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Q. When was the Compact developed and the individual Codes published?

A. The Compact was published in 1998, further information can be found in History of the Compact, further information on the Codes can be found in Overview of the Compact Codes.

Q. What’s the difference between the national Compact and Local Compacts?

A.The national Compact is an agreement between the voluntary and community sector and government to improve their relationship for mutual advantage. Local Compacts aim to do this locally between the sector, councils and other local public bodies.

Q. How do I find the contact for the Compact in my particular local area?

A. You can find information on contacts in your region by clicking on your area on the regional map on the Home page.

Q. Which organisations should join a Local Compact?

A. All local public bodies including local authorities, local strategic partnerships, learning and skills councils, primary care trusts and the emergency services. All local voluntary and particularly community organisations should also join up to a Local Compact.

Q. How does the Compact tie in with LSPs and other local partnerships?

A. By taking ownership (but not control) of the Local Compact, the LSP can adopt a Compact way of working. It can also promote this way of working across all partnership boards while checking their membership is representative and that black and minority ethnic groups are not being excluded. The Local Compact steering group should be linked with the LSP structure and monitor how well the LSP uses and complies with the Local Compact.