What is COMPACT?

Compact is an agreement between Government and the voluntary, community and social entreprise sector. It recognises shared values and is designed to improve relationships. There is a local version of the national guidance, The Cambridgeshire Compact, but since the national one was refreshed in December 2009, we have decided to adopt it and work towards the commitments within it.

What are the benefits of a Compact?

Where it works well, a Compact changes the culture and behaviour of the partner organisations, by:

  • giving consistency to the relationship, making it less dependent on particular individuals
  • working together to solve problems and tackle the priorities of the local community
  • providing clearer and fairer funding processes
  • making sure voluntary and community organisations are given the chance to express their views and to see how these are taken into account
  • understanding each other's priorities and constraints
  • providing a framework to discuss differences and sort out disagreements in a constructive way
  • supporting the development of the voluntary and community sector's capacity so that groups can do more to meet both their aims and those of their statutory partners, thereby enhancing their contribution to the local community.

Cambridgeshire Compact Partnership

This is a group of local statutory bodies (such as County Council, District Councils, NHS Cambridgeshire) and voluntary, community and social entreprise sector sector representatives who come together to ensure that the commitments within the Compact are upheld in this county. Where there is felt to be a breach of Compact undertakings, this group will instigate a conciliation process. For further information about this group contact the Partnerships Officer on 01954 713290.

Useful documents:

 

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