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The Compact

Compacts are about how we work together, partnerships are what we do together.

Introduction

The Compact, first published in 1998, came about because the government and voluntary and community organisations felt that their relationship was so important that it would be of mutual benefit to write down what they could expect of each other. The government also made it clear that it expected there to be a Local Compact in every area, saying that all public sector bodies, such as local authorities, PCTs, the Learning and Skills Council, Police, and JobCentres, should act in accordance with the Compact.

The One Compact for Hampshire is part of that national initiative. It was launched in November 2004 and provides a set of principles and commitments about how the two sectors can best work together. Instead of doing things separately, it has at its heart the belief that:

  • effective partnership working helps all parties achieve what they want to do
  • by working together, we will achieve more for the people and communities of Hampshire

The following gives you an idea about some of the key principles and commitments you should know about:

  • 12 weeks to be allowed for written consultations
  • consultations should use a variety of methods to ensure everyone is included and able to take part
  • consultations should use simple and clear language, and provide feedback – what happened or changed as a result of the consultation
  • new policies and procedures should be considered together
  • priorities and conditions for funding should be made clear and be publicised
  • the allocation of funding should be done in an open and consistent manner
  • recognition of the fact that the cost of providing a service includes a percentage of costs allocated to cover overheads – full cost recovery
  • volunteering is not a cheap option, and sufficient resources should be allocated to ensure volunteering is a positive experience
  • the VCS recognises that it must be accountable for the use of public money, and will operate proper management, control, accountability and audit of finances

why is the Compact important?

Local delivery of government programmes through partnerships involving public bodies and voluntary and community groups has increased considerably. This means we are all spending more time working in partnership. So making partnership work is now more important than ever. Success depends on developing good relations and engagement between partner organisations - the very job that Local Compacts are designed to do. Success depends on a Compact way of working.

Therefore the Compact fits with developments such as Local Strategic Partnerships, Local Area Agreements, Scrutiny Panels, Every Child Matters, PCT Local Delivery Plans, Community Safety, etc.

The Compact's principles and commitments can be used as guidelines for all partnerships and multi-agency groups.

How has the One Compact made a difference?

There have been changes in the way the two sectors work together. For example:

  • Voluntary and community sector representatives have been involved in the recruitment process for senior personnel within HCC Adult Services and for the Adult Services Voluntary Sector Grants Officer.
  • Hampshire County Council has opened up its Hampshire Learning Centre Courses to Voluntary and Community Organisations. Courses are available to VCOs at the same price as council staff. View courses online
    Please note that you will be required to supply some basic evidence that you belong to a Voluntary or Community organisation.
  • Chris Perry of Age Concern Hampshire, and joint chair of the HCC/VCS Compact Development Group (CDG), was contacted by an organisation following notification at the end of March 2007 from Adult Services that grants to voluntary organisations in excess of £5,000 would now be considered by the Adult Social Care Executive Member on 1 June and not 30 March as originally intended. This was clearly a breach of the Compact, and as a result an extraordinary meeting was convened to move things forward.
  • A voluntary sector representative, from a neighbouring local authority, now participates in Winchester City Council’s Revenue Grant Assessment process to ensure that it is undertaken in accordance with the principles of One Compact.
  • Winchester Area Community Action is involved in induction training for new Winchester City Council employees. This takes the form of a presentation on the work of the voluntary sector, and how it supports the City Council’s objectives.
  • Winchester City Council has extended the Compact to cover its Tenant Participation Agreement.
  • Winchester and District Working Together (the local LSP) is supporting employee volunteering, and joint training with the VCS.
  • The deadline for grant applications to the New Forest District Council has been changed in order to allow decisions to be taken and made known to voluntary and community groups before the start of the financial year.
  • Applications for major grants from Test Valley Borough Council now have a deadline of 31 December to allow decisions to be made in time for the start of the new financial year.

Find out what is happening in your district

You can find out about the work between the County Council and the VCS by clicking on the menu on the left.

To find out what is happening in your district, call your local CVS or click on the relevant link below.

Policy & Information
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