Third sector gets greater policy role in new Compact
A revised version of the Compact has been published, updating the terms on which the government and the third sector work together.
Key changes include a greater focus on the involvement of the third sector in policy development and new commitments on the allocation of funding.
The new version of the Compact was agreed following extensive debate and consultation, and signed off by Compact Voice and the Office of the Third Sector.
Simon Blake, chair of Compact Voice, which represents the voluntary and community sector on taking forward the Compact, said: ‘The refreshed Compact is clearer, more effective and had the support of the majority of consultation responses.
‘With so many different perspectives across sectors, there have been inevitable challenges getting to launch stage and some important issues still need addressing through implementation.’
The new Compact focuses on the processes by which the third sector gets involved in policy development, and new commitments around funding.
Government should engage early with third sector organisations in the design of services and programmes, it says, and should make payments within ten days of invoices being received.
The equalities section of the Compact has been expanded to include all equality strands and to include equality impact assessments.
Kevin Curley, chief executive of National Association for Voluntary and Community Action, which represents local third sector infrastructure organisations, said: ‘It’s vital that we refresh local Compacts all over England and reassert their importance. In some areas they have been signed by the council and the PCT but the promises made have then been forgotten.
‘In other areas they have framed the local sector's involvement in the local strategic partnership and the local area agreement and helped to drive improvements in consultation and funding practices. We must use the new Compact to bring relationships in the worst areas up to the level of the best.’
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