WIREDGOV

The refreshed Compact has yesterday been launched by the Compact partnership consisting of the Office of the Third Sector, Compact Voice and the Commission for the Compact.

Since the original Compact was launched in 1998, the relationship between government and the third sector has been transformed. With local compacts now covering most local areas, there is no doubt that this agreement on how to work together more effectively is helping to give value and shape to partnerships across the public and third sector and deliver better outcomes for people and communities.

The refreshed Compact, with a foreword from the Prime Minister, retains the key commitments of the original but takes into account recent developments in law, policy and practice.  It is divided into three key areas covering involvement in policy development, allocating resources and advancing equality.  It consists of 95 commitments: 62 for government and 33 for the third sector. 

The new structure in the Compact is based on an overall set of undertakings and this will be backed up by a series of implementation guidance for specific audiences, sectors or types of relationship. The Compact therefore sets the overall framework for partnership working between government and third sector while the implementation guidance will be more specific in terms of addressing how the Compact can be implemented effectively at a local or grassroots level. In addition, the Compact also comes with a separate introductory document for those who are not familiar with it.

The launch of the refreshed Compact is a clear symbol of the Government’s continued commitment to working with the third sector and will be a valuable tool in helping to build partnerships in the years to come.

The agreement reaffirms the commitment to issues like 12-week consultation periods and three year funding for example, but also addresses commissioning and equality issues for the first time. The Compact is underpinned by principles that both government and the third sector share: respect, honesty, independence, diversity, equality, citizen empowerment and volunteering.

Angela Smith MP, Minister for the Third Sector, said:

“More than ever, a strong relationship based on trust between the third and public sector is crucial for supporting communities and delivering strong public services. The refreshed Compact builds on the lessons of the last ten years and sets out a clear agenda for future partnership.”

Further information

• Office of the Third Sector Compact web pages
• The Compact external website
• Compact Voice external website