The Compact
What is a Compact?
The Compact is an agreement that sets out the "rules of engagement" for how Shropshire Council and the voluntary and community sector (VCS) should work together for the benefit of the people they serve.
It is more than a document - it is also a way of working that recognises the benefits of working together better.
The Compact will help voluntary and community groups and the Council get the best out of working relationships by setting out shared principles and expectations under four codes of best practice:
Compact Codes - Brief Summary
Shropshire Council and the VCS will work together to...
Funding
- agree clear targets and timescales for project delivery
- ensure all project costs are identified and covered
- consider long term sustainability beyond the period of project fundingVolunteering
- promote volunteering and recognise its valuable contribution to community life
- ensure volunteers are properly managed and supported in their roles
- eliminate barriers to volunteering, particularly for excluded and hard-to-reach groupsConsultation
- achieve wider VCS participation in the planning and delivery of services
- respect and benefit from each other's experience and expertise
- seek to reach and include all sectors of the community in consultation processes and responsesEquality and Diversity
- encourage and support people from all communities and backgrounds to get involved
- develop a better understanding of equality and diversity issues
- identify and resolve gaps in all aspects of service planning and delivery
Who created the Compact?
The development of the Compact has been led by a partnership between the Shropshire Voluntary and Community Sector Assembly and Shropshire Council.
The Compact was developed using feedback from an extensive period of consultation including a series of focus groups, meetings of a development group and two countywide conferences.
The Compact was adopted by the Voluntary and Community Sector at a Compact Conference held on 6 November. Shropshire Council adopted the Compact on 9 November 2009.
Compact Champions
Compact Champions act as advocates for the Shropshire Compact and come from both the public sector and Voluntary and Community Sector. The primary role of a Compact Champion is to support and promote the Compact and its partnership principles as the best way of working. Champions will be supported in their role by the Compact Champions Network which means a few times a year and provides regular updates and communication by email. If you would like to become a Champion, or would like more detailed information, contact the Compact Officer using the details below.
Where can I find out more?
To find out more contact:
Shropshire Council's Compact Officer
Telephone: 01743 252269
Email: sarah.dodds@shropshire.gov.uk
Write to:
Shropshire Partnership, Shropshire Council, Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY2 6ND
The Compact is attached below:
Shropshire Compact Leaflet (303.72KB)
Shropshire Compact Poster (180.97KB)
Compact Toolkit for Small VCS Orgs (230KB)
Compact Toolkit for larger VCS Orgs (247.5KB)
Compact Toolkit for Council Officers (265KB)
National Compact
At a national level the Government works closely with VCS organisations to develop and promote a Compact. The most recent National Compact was published in December 2010 and a copy is attached below.
Compact Accountability Guide (207.73KB)
Working Better Together - Compact (912.49KB)
Compact Support for Public Sector (607.19KB)
Compact Voice is a VCS organisation established to support the Compact. Compact Voice offers a range of support at both national and local levels and copies of key guidance documents are below. To find out more visit the Compact Voice Website at:
http://www.compactvoice.org.uk/