FREE HelpDesk
0800 2 798 798

Compact news and press release

As part of our contribution to vital issues that have affected VCS organisations and the sector as a whole, in this section you can read:

what is new in the world of Compact at both national and local levels.
Archived Compact articles and statements, to learn how the Compact has been used and previous success stories.

News and press releases

20 November 2008

Compact Voice's report on Independence and the Compact launched on 5 November

The report, based on a nationwide focus group study, finds that independence is viewed as crucial to the sector and is integral to all aspects of the sector’s relationship with government.

Threats to independence centre on overlapping issues of funding and commissioning of services, real and perceived fears among sector organisations of criticising government funders, and interference in organisations’ freedom to determine and manage their affairs.

The substance of these threats correspond directly to provisions and codes set out in the Compact, which therefore provides an important framework for managing the inevitable tensions that arise between the sector and government around independence.

Read the report on the Compact Voice website

26 September 2008

Have your say: the voice of the sector on the Compact

Compact Voice has launched a nationwide survey to explore your views on the future of the Compact, which sets out how government and the voluntary sector work together. This is a unique opportunity to shape your future relationship with government and ensure the Compact is as relevant and powerful as possible.

With the national Compact entering its tenth year, now is the right time to explore the future of this document; to build on its successes and tackle its failings. Compact Voice urges everyone in the sector to respond.

Read about the debate on the Compact Voice website.

July 2008

NCVO's consultation on the future of the Compact

A consultation on the future of the Compact has been announced. NCVO wants to hear from its members what their experience is of the Compact, and how they think it could be improved. Read the press release and respond to our online consultation on the future of the Compact.

June 2008

Compact must be embedded to safeguard sector independence new research reveals

New focus group research carried out by Compact Voice reveals a desire for greater awareness, use and implementation of the Compact to safeguard the sector’s independence.

The study indicates that voluntary and community sector organisations regard independence as one of the most important issues for their organisation. Focus group participants felt that the Compact had the potential to be used as an effective tool to safeguard their organisation’s independence, but it is not currently fulfilling that potential.

The findings come from a study carried out by Compact Voice involving representatives from 47 national organisations in the South East, Midlands and the North of England, exploring their experiences of independence and the Compact.

Emerging themes from this qualitative study will be presented and discussed at a Sector Independence Day event hosted by Compact Voice on 4 July in London. The event will officially launch Compact Voice’s independence campaign, "It’s Our Shout”, which will run throughout this year.

Stefan Simanowitz, National Campaigns Officer for Compact Voice, said today,“Our research shows that independence is not merely a theoretical concept but has concrete implications for organisations and the constituencies they serve".

“The right of people to be able to access services from organisations, to join, establish and develop organisations that are free from statutory control is a fundamental part of a free and democratic society. It is also a right that cannot be taken for granted. This research reflects the range of issues that can threaten an organisation’s independence and explores experiences of how.”

The interim findings of the report will be discussed, together with findings from research undertaken by the Commission for the Compact exploring perceptions of the Compact and independence from eight government departments. Sector Independence Day will provide a platform for those on both sides of the relationship to discuss their understanding and experiences.

Notes to Editors

Key themes of the focus group study include:

Independence is viewed as crucial to the both the sector and to wider civil society.
While there is a strong sense of independence within the sector, independence is experienced differentially depending on an organisation’s, size, internal structures, funding arrangements and contractual conditions.
Conflicts around independence centre on issues of funding and commissioning of services; real and perceived fears of among sector organisations of criticising government funders; interference in organisations freedom to determine and manage their affairs; and over monitoring by statutory funders.
Failure of statutory bodies to sufficiently understand and trust the sector were seen as key threats to the sector’s independence and the Compact was seen as having an important role in overcoming these barriers.
While the principles of the Compact were unanimously supported in theory, views as to its efficacy in practice as a tool for defending independence varied.
Sector Independence Day takes place on Friday 4 July at LVSC, 356 Holloway Road, London N7 6PA, from 10.30am - 1.30pm (followed by lunch). Free admission. The one day event will feature a number of presentations by speakers from NCVO, Compact Voice, the Commission for the Compact and Barings Foundation

Sector Independence Day - 4 July 2008

The Compact: Safeguarding the independence of the voluntary and community sector – A cross sector learning event

“It’s Our Shout” – is the theme of the campaign running before, on and after 4 July for voluntary organisations to take responsibility for upholding their independence because it is draining away. All trustee boards of voluntary organisations are being asked to sign a pledge to

“Give voice to the needs of communities and those we represent, campaign fearlessly and responsibly for our causes, and uphold our independence by using our Compact, resisting external interference, and being mission focused.”

Download : National Campaign Pack (PDF)
Download : Local Groups Campaign Pack (PDF)
Download :Compact Voice Events Programme (PDF)
Registering Independence Pledge by Trustees www.ncvo-consult.org.uk/ip
Booking a place at our 4 July 2008 event www.ncvo-consult.org.uk/side
Councils registering they are opening their doors on 4 July to groups they seldom engage with www.ncvo-consult.org.uk/c47

Summary

A free event for the sector and public bodies to explore the role of the Compact in helping to protect and promote the independence of the sector.

Organised by Compact Voice and supported by the Commission for the Compact, it will present interim findings of national research currently being undertaken and provide a platform for those on both sides of the relationship to discuss their understanding and experiences of how the Compact can be used to strengthen independence. Participants will be able to focus on particular areas of interest through breakout sessions.

The morning event will concentrate on the national picture and will be followed in the afternoon by an event for Local Compact Voice members.

Aim of the conference

To increase understanding of the role the Compact in strengthening the independence of the third sector.
To share experiences of ways in which the Compact is being used to strengthen independence and what we can learn from them.
To find out how central government and national sector organisations perceive independence and the Compact’s relationship to it, and discuss how the Compact could be better utilised.

Presentations

Ruth Etkind (Commission for the Compact) and John Griffiths (Rocket Science) – Perspectives from central government departments (interim research findings).
Stefan Simanowitz (National Compact Voice) - Perspectives from the sector (interim research findings).
Paul Barasi (Local Compact Voice) – its our Shout.
Matthew Smerdon (Baring Foundation) How important is independence to the voluntary and community sector?
Anne Blackmore (NCVO) – Myths and realities of sector independence.

Who should attend this event?

Voluntary or community sector leaders, practitioners and policy makers.
Government Executives, TLSO’s, Councillors and staff of local public bodies.
Anyone with an interest in Government/Voluntary sector relations.

Date: Friday 4 July 2008.
Venue: LVSC, 356 Holloway Road, London N7 6PA.
Time: 10.30am – 1.30pm (followed by lunch).
Cost: Free.

For more information, please contact Stefan Simanowitz 020 7520 2486 or email stefan.simanowitz@ncvo-vol.org.uk

May 2008

News analysis: The Compact at the crossroads

As the Compact enters a new era, the sector is still divided on the issue of its legal status.

Ever since the Compact was launched 10 years ago, some people have argued that it would never be effective until it was reinforced with statutory powers. The cry has become a clamour in recent months, amid a growing sense that the Government introduced the agreement but has too often failed to abide by it.

To read the full story visit thirdSector.co.uk

April 2008

Invitation to focus groups on the Compact and independence

Thursday 10 April 2008 - Compact Voice are inviting members of national organisations to discuss their experience of how the Compact can help to protect and enhance their independence.

Summary

A series of focus groups examining whether the Compact is protecting the independence of the voluntary sector has been organised by the Compact Voice National Network.

The Compact includes a commitment to “recognise and support the independence of the sector”, but Compact Voice wants to canvass views on whether this is really happening. It also wants participants to discuss how the Compact could be used more effectively to safeguard organisations’ independence.

The focus groups will take place:

in London on 20 May and 6 June.
in York on 22 May.
in Birmingham on 5 June.

The results of the focus group will be presented at a findings workshop as part of Compact Voice’s the Independence Day event on 4 July. Visit the compact voice website.

New Commissioner for the Compact participates in online Q & A with the voluntary sector

In order to introduce himself in his new role, Sir Bert Massie the newly appointed Commissioner for the Compact will engage with hundreds of members of the voluntary and community sector in by answering their questions on a live online discussion roundtable. On his first day in his new job the Commissioner will join other key members of the Compact family such as Simon Blake, Chair of Compact Voice, and Carl Allen, Chair of Local Compact Voice, for an online discussion about what needs to be done to ensure better awareness and implementation of the Compact.

Members of Compact Voice’s National Network have been invited to post questions or comments to Sir Bert exploring the Compact priorities for the sector in the short, medium and long term and outline. Sir Bert will attempt to respond to the issues raised by the end of Friday 4 April. It is hoped that the online discussion will allow the key Compact players to communicate directly with wide section of the third sector and we hope will pave the way for similar exercises in direct communication in the future.

Sir Bert Massie said:

“I am delighted to have the opportunity of contributing to the work of ensuring that the voluntary and statutory sectors work together closely to improve and enhance the services and support they offer to the public. I am keen to hear what the government and the voluntary and the community sector have to say about the Compact and how we can fully integrate Compact principles into daily activity, processes and relationships.”

In a related development Compact Voice announced today that it will be conducting a series of focus groups for the voluntary and community sector to discussion issues around the Compact and independence. The focus groups will take place in London on Tuesday 20th May (2pm - 4pm) and Friday 6th June (11am-1), York on Thursday 22nd May (am/pm) and Birmingham on Thursday 5th June (am/pm).

The roundtable will take place on the forum of the National Compact Voice Network. This network has over 170 members from national organisations across the country. It contains a discussion forum with varied threads as well as a newsfeed updated daily. The network is open to everyone to join either by invitation or simply by clicking on the link below.

This is your opportunity to talk to Sir Bert Massie CBE, the new Commissioner for the Compact. If you would like to ask a question or start a discussion topic, please visit http://compact.ning.com or click on http://compact.ning.com/?xgi=gEVaMbr.

To find out about the focus groups please contact stefan.simanowitz@ncvo-vol.org.uk or telephone 020 7520 2486

Compact Voice Announce Focus Group exercise on independence and the Compact

The first commitment of the Compact is to “recognise and support the independence of the sector.” Compact Voice, are inviting members of the National Network to take part in focus groups on the issue of independence.

- Is the Compact fulfilling its commitment to the sector on independence?
- How is the Compact is being used to safeguard your organisation’s independence?
- If it isn’t being used, what are the reasons for this and how can it be more effectively used?

The focus groups will take place in London, York and Birmingham on the following dates:

London
- Tuesday 20th May (2pm - 4pm).
- Friday 6th June (11am-1).
York
- Thursday 22nd May (am/pm).
Birmingham
- Thursday 5th June (am/pm).

Lunch and travel costs will be provided as well as redeemable NCVO book vouchers and a copy of the final report.

To find out more please contact stefan.simanowitz@ncvo-vol.org.uk or telephone 020 7520 2486. Please indicate which focus group you are interested in attending and whether you’d rather come to the morning or afternoon group.

March 2008

Sir Bert Massie appointed as the new Commissioner for the Compact

Compact Advocacy with its other partners welcome the appointment of Sir Bert Massie as the new Commissioner for the Compact. Sir Bert brings a wealth of experience to the role as an international expert in equality and social policy, having worked in the voluntary sector for 40 years.

Simon Blake, Chair of Compact Voice, said:

“Compact Voice looks forward to working closely with the new Commissioner to get the Compact implemented and ensure better outcomes for the people both sectors serve. The voluntary and community sector is keen to see its relationship with the Government improve: these are exciting times for the Compact and now is the time for action. We welcome the Government’s continued investment in the partnership.”

The Office of the Third Sector (OTS) has also agreed an implementation plan setting the key milestones on the path to partnership. Developed in coordination with Compact Voice and the Commission, the plan lays out what is expected from each of the three partners in order to improve the impact and support of the Compact.

To introduce himself, in the coming weeks the new Commissioner will appear on the Compact Voice National Network forum to address any questions and concerns you might have directly. He will be joined in the online roundtable discussion by Simon Blake, the newly appointed Chair of Compact Voice and Carl Allen, the Chair of Local Compact Voice.

To get involved in the online discussion visit the Compact Voice National Network
Read Sir Bert's first interview as the new Compact Commissioner - Firming up the Compact

Local Compacts Annual Conference – 7 April in Hatfield.

This free event will help your Local Compact to deliver more by relating it to the big picture. Even Compacts left on the shelf can be turned into good practice stories. Local Compacts will be explored in a context of a thriving sector and developing a vision of civil society, while linking them with today’s policy frameworks. This chance to share thinking and practical ideas with people from public bodies and local groups across England is simply irresistible.

For further information on how to register visit www.compactvoice.org.uk/latest news.

February 2008

Simon Blake becomes new Compact Voice Chair

Simon Blake, Chief Executive of sexual health charity Brook and long time advocate of the Compact, has been appointed the new Chair of Compact Voice. Blake, who was chosen because of his passionate leadership role in the voluntary sector and his frequent use and championing of the Compact. To read the full press release go to NCVO press releases.

January 2008

Compact Voice launches its online discussion forum

Compact Voice has launched an online discussion forum for charities to share their experiences of contracting with government. Stefan Simanowitz, National Compact Voice Officer, said the organisation’s representations would be informed by the discussions.

To join email Stefan Simanowitz
or register directly on http://compact.ning.com/

Compact in action: Compact Advocacy Programme

The NCVO's Compact Advocacy Programme has helped hundreds of voluntary organisations in their battles with public bodies since it was established in 2002 to ensure "compliance with the Compact at a national and local level". To read the full story go to thirdSector.co.uk.

NCVO will support a Euro Compact

The National Council for voluntary Organsiations (NCVO) is spearheading plans by European sector bodies to use a measure in the forthcoming EU Reform Treaty that would force the European Commission to consider legislating for a European Compact.