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Introduction
The relationship between public sector organisations and voluntary and community sector organisations in Bedfordshire and Luton has improved considerably since the Compact was launched in 2001. Partnerships between the voluntary and community sector and the public sector have flourished, and the voluntary and community sector, in all its diversity, now plays a vital role in strengthening communities, promoting opportunity, and delivering innovative and personalised public services.
This Compact brings together public sector organisations and voluntary and community sector organisations across the three unitary areas of Bedford Borough, Central Bedfordshire and Luton.
The voluntary and community sector is vast, diverse and vibrant. It makes huge differences to people’s lives, and underpins the prospering communities that are so vital,
both now and in the future.
Voluntary and community sector organisations have become not only an integral part of community life but a major partner to public sector organisations in the delivery of public services, working with people at a local level in ways that are suited to their needs.
This refreshed Compact, based on the 2009 National Compact, sets out the core principles that the public sector and voluntary and community sector share and that are the foundations of their activity. It is a clear statement of the public sector’s continued commitment to working with the voluntary and community sector, and will be a valuable tool in helping build strong and successful partnerships for years to come.
The Compact is only useful when it is actually picked up and used; when it is put on the table and agreed as the way the partnership will work; when those involved understand
what is in it and the benefits it can bring.
Compact Principles
The Compact outlines the relationship between the public sector and the voluntary and community sector, allowing them to work together more effectively to strengthen communities and improve people’s lives.
The Compact is neither a set of rules nor a bureaucratic burden, but a way of working that can help deliver real outcomes and improvements for people and communities. A common set of principles has been created to help the public sector and the voluntary and community sector build relationships and work together effectively in partnership.
The shared principles of the Compact are:
- Respect: Differences between the public and voluntary and community sectors are mutually understood, acknowledged and respected.
- Honesty: Open communication, transparency and integrity.
- Independence: The independence of voluntary and community organisations in fulfilling their mission is recognised and supported. This includes their right within the law to campaign, to comment on and to challenge public sector policy (whatever
funding or other relationship may exist with the public sector) and to determine and manage their own affairs.
- Citizen empowerment: Valuing a thriving civil society that is built around communities and people, meeting their needs and reflecting their choices.
- Volunteering: The energy and commitment of people giving their time for the public good contributes to a vibrant society, and should be recognised and appreciated.
The Compact’s commitments put these shared principles into practice through:
- Advancing equality and diversity
- Involvement in policy development
- Allocating resources.
Download
The Bedfordshire & Luton Compact
Taking the Compact Forward in Bedfordshire & Luton
Whether you represent a voluntary or statutory organisation, please carry out these three simple steps that will assist in taking the Compact forward in the County:
1) Get a copy of the Bedfordshire and Luton Compact
You can download a copy of the Compact
Make sure that your colleagues and trustees are aware of the ompact and the Codes of Practice.
2) Get your organisation to sign up to Compact
You can either download a signup form:
or contact the Compact Secretariat for a copy . A list of those organisations already signed up can be found
on the Bedfordshire & Luton Compact Website.
3) Download: Commission for the Compact Report: What makes a Successful Compact
The more organisations that sign up to the Compact,
the stronger the relationship between statutory,
voluntary and community organisations
Local Government Compact Commitment
Central Bedfordshire has agreed to adopt the Bedfordshire and Luton Compact, a working document aimed at developing a close, efficient and more effective equal working partnership between local, voluntary and community organisations and statutory agencies.
The Compact was agreed in 2002 and sets out a series of principles which should underpin the relationship between all parties who are working towards a common goal. It also shows their commitment to:
- Work in partnership for the improved quality of life in society.
- Encourage and support voluntary and community activity.
- Jointly influence planning and policy, where appropriate.
South and Mid Bedfordshire District Councils and Bedfordshire County Council originally signed up to the Compact in 2002 and have seen many positive outcomes achieved through the commitment.
One example is the change that Mid and South Bedfordshire District Councils made to key voluntary sector partner’s funding - changing from annual funding to three-to-five year agreements provided them with long term security rather than annual uncertainty.
Colin Poulter, Coordinator for Mid Beds Link a Ride said: “Compact had a direct impact for Link a Ride as it enabled us to enter into a lease agreement for our fleet of vehicles. This provided brand new minibuses and removed the need for capital to repair and renew them. It also gave job security for the drivers and enabled investment in staff training”.
Richard Ellis, Director of Business Transformation for Central Bedfordshire said: “Central Bedfordshire and it’s voluntary and community organisations enjoy good working relationships and share many aspirations; dedication to public life, support for the development of strong and healthy communities, and the pursuit of inclusiveness. The community and voluntary sector in Bedfordshire deliver high quality services across all sectors of our communities, and in doing so help us deliver our strategic objectives.
“The Compact builds on these good relationships and will continue with the development of genuine working partnerships that deliver our joint priorities in Central Bedfordshire”.
Martin Trinder, Chief Officer for Community and Voluntary Service added: “In adopting the Compact, Central Bedfordshire has made a clear statement that it values the local voluntary and community sector, which has a unique role as an advocate for local people, particularly those marginalised in society, and as a service provider”.
John Gelder, Director of Voluntary and Community Action summed up: “The Compact will provide an excellent framework for consultation and partnership working and we welcome the opportunity this presents to engage with Central Bedfordshire in the development of services to improve the quality of life for local residents and those who use the services provided by the sector”.
Beds & Luton Compact Secretariat
If you would like more information please contact Secretariat at Community & Voluntary Service (CVS). They can also provide you with more information information about how your organisation can become a signatory and advise you on support should your group come in to conflict with a local authority.
Compact Secretariat
Bedfordshire and Luton Compact
The Bedford Centre for Voluntary Services
43 Bromham Road
Bedford
MK40 2AA
Tel: 01234 354366
info@yourcvs.org
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