Explore 2007 Annual Meeting
2007 Annual Meeting
The eighth annual meeting took place on 13 December 2007 and was held to review the Compact on relations between government and the voluntary and community sector. It was chaired jointly by Phil Hope and Sir Christopher Kelly (Chair of Compact Voice).
The Annual Compact Meeting aims to bring together central and local government, Local Compacts, Compact partners and a range of sector representatives to discuss the achievements and shortcomings of the Compact over the past year. It aims to build a shared understanding for the priorities for the coming year.
Phil Hope, Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office opened the meeting, announcing regrettably that Sir Christopher Kelly would be standing down as Chair of Compact Voice in January, congratulated him on his appointment as the new Chair of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, and thanked him for his contribution to implementing the principles of the Compact.
The Minister continued to outline the action taken by the Government over the year to improve the relationship with the sector. This included publishing the Third Sector Review report following the largest consultation ever conducted with the sector, and highlighting that 27 out of 30 Public Service Agreement delivery agreements for the period 2008-11 now incorporate a strong role for the third sector. He also pointed out that one year on from the publication of the 'Public Service Delivery Action Plan', the Government has started work on all 18 of the actions it promised including, training 2000 public service commissioners about working with the third sector, piloting social clauses in contracts, and establishing an innovation exchange to support third sector innovators.
Helen Baker, Interim Commissioner for the Compact addressed the audience and announced the Annual Commendations for Excellence in Compact Work.
She continued to specify the Commission for the Compact's four main priorities for the coming year:
- Continued political commitment
- Greater awareness
- Greater use of the Compact
- Maintaining the relevance of the Compact
On the final point, Helen pledged to look at the Compact and ensure its codes were up to date with the current legislative and policy environment. The challenge is to make sure they remain relevant and fully fit for purpose. 
Helen Bakers Speech Summary
Also speaking at they event were ministers from across government, including Caroline Flint, Department of Work and Pensions, Stephen Timms, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform and Baroness Andrews, Department for Communities and Local Government.
Each bringing positive news of action in their departments to further implementing the principles of the Compact and reaffirmed their commitment to the agreement.
Useful documents
The Compact in the Regions - Making it Real
Progress Report Against Joint Compact Action Plan 2006-08
Joint Compact Action Plan 2008-2009