introduction to the compact

Introduction to the Compact

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What is the Compact?

• Established in 1998• Refreshed in 2009• Renewed in 2010• Outlines key principles

to enable good partnership working between public and voluntary sectors

• Every local area in England covered

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Compact Voice – who are we?

• Charity representing the voluntary and community sector on Compact

• Co-signatories on national Compact

• Membership organisation

• Representative board

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The renewed Compact

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The renewed Compact – 5 key principles

• A strong, diverse and independent civil society

• Effective and transparent design and development of policies, programmes and public services

• Responsive and high-quality programmes and services

• Clear arrangements for managing changes to programmes and services

• An equal and fair society

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More ‘Compact’ Compact

• Multi-year funding• Three months notice

when changing or ending a funding relationship

• Assess the need to re-allocate funding

• Assess the impact of changing or ending funding

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More ‘Compact’ Compact

• Independence and right to campaign

• Support for infrastructure• Support for full cost

recovery• Social, environmental and

economic value recognised• 12 week meaningful

consultation• Prime contractors and their

supply chains• EU funding

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Local Compacts

• Every area in England has a Compact

• Used at the beginning of relationships, not just the end

• Can help secure funding and recognise the value of the sector

• Local Compact partnerships are key

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Compact Compliance

• All Government departments have signed up to the Compact

• Signatories to Local Compacts are expected to follow Compact principles

• The Compact is underpinned by Public Law

• Basically, you can expect that the Compact should be followed

• But if it isn’t…

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Accountability Mechanisms

• National Audit Office – reporting to Public Administration Select Committee

• Parliamentary and Health Services Ombudsman

• Departmental business plans• Local Government Ombudsman• Compact Advocacy Programme

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“One of the other elements we’ve been able to agree very rapidly in our coalition agreement is support for co-ops, for mutuals, for charities, for social enterprises – making sure that the Compact you’ve got already with government, which we think has been honoured more in the breach than the observance, really means something. And one of the early bits of work, I think, is to refresh and renew that Compact.”

David CameronLaunch of Big Society, May 2010

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“When it comes to looking at and trimming your budgets, don't do the easy thing, which is to cut money to the voluntary bodies and organisations working in our communities. Look at your core costs. Look at how you can do more for less. Look at the value for money you get from working with the voluntary sector.”

David CameronPMQs, September 2010

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“We are determined to ensure that cuts are fair and not disproportionate in their impact on the sector. The Prime Minister has made it clear that councils should not take the easy option of trimming budgets by cutting funding to the voluntary and community sector. As well as refreshing the national Compact, we are working with the Local Government Association and local authorities to identify examples of positive collaboration with their voluntary, community and social enterprise sectors.”

Francis MaudeOpen letter to Civil Society Organisations, November 2010

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“[Voluntary groups] can, in many circumstances, offer good value for taxpayers’ money when commissioned to provide services.

Some local authorities are not only maintaining funding to such groups, but increasing it. Others are involving them closely in decisions about how to redesign services. Others still, where appropriate, are inviting them to take over the management or delivery of some services.”

Greg ClarkLetter to Local Authority Leaders, February 2011

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“…it is reasonable to expect that they will have given three months' notice or more when they think they need to end or alter a grant, or other support.

And it is reasonable to expect that they use this three months to give local groups a chance to make their case and suggest alternative ways of redesigning or reshaping the service.

So if councils are being high-handed - I'll consider giving our reasonable expectations statutory force.”

Eric PicklesNCVO Conference, March 2011

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But…

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•Many local areas aren’t following Compact principles

•Many government departments aren’t following Compact principles

•Cuts are being made in both good and bad ways – but there are huge concerns across the sector

•There is no clear picture across the country

•Case studies of good and bad cuts practice are available on Compact Voice’s website

•The Compact isn’t just about cuts…

Compact “lessons” for Big Society

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1. Partnership working won’t happen automatically

2. Existing partnerships provide vital insight and reach.

3. Sharing both good and bad practice is vital

4. Innovation can mean different things to different people

5. Consultation leads to better communities

6. The price of partnership failure can be long-lasting

7. Good partnerships are already happening

To conclude…• Localism and

decentralisation exemplified by the Compact

• Compact, localism and Big Society must coexist – and be aligned

• Without Compact, Big Society more difficult, if not impossible

• Challenges and opportunities in the coming months – the Compact can help

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Questions? Comments?

Tom Elkins

tom.elkins@compactvoice.org.uk

020 7520 2561

www.compactvoice.org.uk