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  What is this Compact, and why do we need one?
The Compact is the agreement between government and the Third Sector to “Improve relationships for community gain”. It is a firm promise for how both Sectors should work together, with a set of guidelines for how that should happen. It recognises shared values and principles, and gives explicit commitments for both Public Sector agencies and for voluntary and community organisations to agree and undertake.
There is a National Compact, a Staffordshire Compact and a Stafford District Compact, all of which are intended to be mutually supportive. The information here is principally about the Stafford agreement.
Stafford District Compact was signed on 4th February 2008, by representatives of Third Sector organisations in Stafford and Elected Members from Stafford Borough Council. Follow this link to go to the news story: http://tinyurl.com/4af7j2
Since then, there has been encouragement to also sign up given to other Stafford organisations from both the Public and Third Sectors.
 The Stafford Borough Community Compact (Click here to download PDF version) says there is a shared vision:
“To contribute to Stafford Borough as a place where people want to live and work by strengthening the relationship between the Voluntary and Community Sectors and Statutory Agencies, based on shared values, understanding and mutual respect.”
The document follows with defined responsibilities and commitment to review, then by six Codes of Practice:
- Community Groups and Black and Minority Ethnic Voluntary and Community Organisations
- Funding
- Partnerships
- Policy and Consultation
- Volunteering
- Conflict Resolution Procedure
The Compact is not, currently, a legal framework, nor enforceable by either party, although there is an ongoing debate about whether it should be strengthened, to give it “teeth”.
Click here http://tinyurl.com/52gyna to give your views before 10th November 2008
More information about the status of Compact can be found at http://www.compactvoice.org.uk
Where now with the Stafford Borough Community Compact?
In October 2008, the Stafford Compact Steering Group was asked to reform with a wider membership. When the Group next meets, we will answer these questions:
- What is the role of the Steering Group and what should we be doing for Compact?
- Why should an organisation sign up to Compact?
- Where are there examples of how Compact is working, in areas like Stafford?
- How will we communicate successes as well as those areas where we need to work harder?
- When and where will we do that?
It is expected that there will be feedback about the Stafford Borough Community Compact at the next “State of the Borough” Debate.
For more information on the national view of Compact and on the Office of the Compact Commissioner, go to http://www.thecompact.org.uk
For more information from the Third Sector about Compact developments and debate, about the national Compact and local Compacts, go to http://www.compactvoice.org.uk
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