The Gloucestershire Compact
Briefing information – Consultation Period 1 November 2005 to 31 January 2006
1. What is the Gloucestershire Compact?
The Gloucestershire Compact is an agreement between key local public sector agencies (including county and district authorities) and the voluntary and community sector, to support and improve partnership working between the sectors.
The Gloucestershire Compact sets out values, principles and commitments on how best the sectors can work together to achieve more for the local community. It is underpinned by six Codes of Practice which contain specific undertakings for the public sector and the voluntary and community sector, as well as a series of joint undertakings, to improve partnership working. They cover the following areas:
- Black and minority ethnic voluntary and community groups
- Funding and procurement
- Community groups
- Multi-agency partnerships
- Consultation
- Volunteering
There is also a Conflict Resolution Procedure to ensure that breaches in the Compact can be constructively addressed and resolved.
2. How was the Gloucestershire Compact developed?
The Gloucestershire Compact has been developed by a multi-sector Compact Steering Group (use the link on the left for steering group members), formed after a conference to launch the process in March 2003 and supported by the Partnership and Participation Project.
The main Gloucestershire Compact and the Funding and Finance Code were initially launched in May 2004, and since then multi-sector working groups have developed the remaining codes through meetings, events and email discussions. The Funding and Finance Code and Conflict Resolution Procedure have also been recently revised to take account of local experience and national developments.
3. Why have a Compact?
Having an effective local Compact can lead to better relations between the sectors, and so to better decisions and better services. For public sector partners commitment to partnership working is necessary for many external audits and inspections. For voluntary and community groups it can mean having local public bodies that are supportive and enabling, as well as consultation and involvement that works.
4. What can you do now?
We will be asking public sector and voluntary and community sector organisations to sign up to the undertakings in the Compact and to ensure their implementation. We would therefore like to hear your views on these draft documents.
For copies of these documents and for details of forthcoming consultation events please contact:
Partnership and Participation Project
c/o Gloucester CVS,
75-81 Eastgate Street,
Gloucester,
GL1 1PN
- Telephone: 01452 332 424
- Email: louise@gloucestercvs.org.uk
- Website: www.gloshub.org.uk
For more information see www.thecompact.org.uk
CONTACTS
Sustainable Communities and Housing
Gaynor Harper gaynor.harper@cotswold.gov.uk
Cotswold District Council, Trinity Road, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 1PX
Telephone: 01285 623 566