Sutton Compact

Corporate Policy & Partnerships Team Policy Briefing  60 Sutton Compact  
 
Introduction

The Sutton Partnership has just launched the Sutton Compact (pdf PDF - 1.02 MB) – a partnership agreement between the voluntary and community sector and local public service organisations.

The launch of the Compact comes after a significant amount of work over recent years by a steering group of voluntary/community sector partners, the Council and Primary Care Trust, and is testimony to the energy and commitment that partners such as Sutton Centre for the Voluntary Sector, the Safer Sutton Partnership and Sutton and Merton PCT have brought to the initiative.

This briefing explains the background to the production of the Compact, outlines its contents and sets out some of the next steps.

What are compacts?

Compacts are partnership agreements between statutory bodies and the voluntary and community sector designed to promote effective joint working. They are written documents which provide a framework within which the public and third sector organisations can understand what to expect from each other. Compact provides a way of supporting the development of the third sector’s capacity so that local community groups can do more to meet both their aims and those of their public sector partners.

The National Compact (between central government and the voluntary and community sector) was launched in 1998. It is now a requirement for all local authorities and Primary Care Trusts to develop a Compact with the voluntary and community sector.

What is happening nationally?

Central Government is committed to supporting the Compact through a range of units and policies. It recognises that the voluntary and community sector has an important role in engaging communities and can be innovative and flexible.

“Strong and prosperous Communities”, The Local Government White Paper (October 2006) states that the Third Sector needs to be placed on a level playing field with mainstream providers when it comes to local service provision. The White Paper seeks to empower the voluntary and community sector and build capacity so that a stronger voice may be given to vulnerable and under-represented groups.

Compact Voice, based at the National Council of Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) represents the views of the voluntary and community sector to Central Government’s Commission for the Compact. Government values the importance of the Compact in making the relationship between public bodies and the voluntary and community sector more transparent.

What is happening in Sutton?

The Council has been working with partners (Sutton Centre for the Voluntary Sector and other local voluntary and community sector organisations, the Sutton and Merton Primary Care Trust, the Safer Sutton Partnership, Epsom and St.Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust to produce a local Compact.

The Compact is framed around 10 broad principles which effectively act as a protocol to underpin working relationships:

  • Community involvement and voluntary action are essential to the quality of life in Sutton.
  • The differences and diversity between the sectors should be respected and valued.
  • Common to all sectors, is the need for integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.
  • The independence of the voluntary and community sector should be respected.
  • To maximise the effectiveness of the voluntary and community sector, investment in its infrastructure is essential.
  • Organisations in each sector have the right to contribute to and challenge matters that affect them.
  • The voluntary and community sector will maintain high standards of governance and conduct.
  • All sectors acknowledge the importance of promoting equality for all people, regardless of race,age,disability,gender,sexual orientation or religion.
  • Public sector partners recognise the role of infrastructure organisations in capacity building.
  • Public sector partners agree to acknowledge the principles of full cost recovery.

Launch of Sutton Compact

The development of the Compact has been overseen by a multi-agency steering group, chaired by Warren Shadbolt from The Safer Sutton Partnership.

The official signing of the Sutton Compact took place on Friday 10th November during National Compact Week 2006. Representatives from all the partners involved were present and more than 50 people from all sectors gathered to celebrate publication of Sutton Compact as a living document and a way of working. Special guests included Paul Barasi, Compact Voice Officer (NCVO); and eight Russian members of the Charities Aid Foundation who were visiting Britain on a study tour to look at how central and local government communicates with and includes citizens.

The lively atmosphere at the launch was further evidence of the strong voluntary sector in Sutton and the good relations which exist between the partner organisations. There was recognition that Compact provides a sound basis for continued partnership working and represents a shared commitment to delivering tangible outcomes.

What happens next? - Compact implementation

Further work is now to be carried out so that Compact is used top to bottom in every public service and department.

Detailed codes of practice linked to the Compact are set to be agreed. Discussions regarding the principles for funding, procurement and commissioning are already underway. Compact recognises that short term funding arrangements really do affect the stability of the voluntary and community sector.

The Compact Steering Group will now be looking forward to making real gains in:

  • Awareness of the Compact with a strong public relations strategy agreed by all partners to ensure consistency.
  • Achieving commitment at the highest level to progress the Sutton Compact.
  • Meaningful consultation and clear targets for strengthening community engagement.
  • Sharing of best practise in the development of detailed codes of guidance and action plans.
  • Resolution of conflicts between local groups and public bodies.
     
    The Compact is something that all officers and members need to be aware of. Any questions may be addressed to The Policy and Partnerships Team, Chief Executive’s Group.


Links

The Local Government White Paper, Strong and Prosperous Communities is available via this link http://www.communities.gov.uk (opens new window)
Information regarding the national compact and Compact Voice (NCVO) is available via this link http://www.thecompact.org.uk (opens new window)

Further information
Please contact Karen Peck on 020 8770 4330.