Compact agreement to benefit Liverpool’s voluntary sector

Liverpool Charity and Voluntary Services (LCVS) has launched an action plan for the future of the city’s third sector and is asking local voluntary and community groups to express their views.

The Compact is a framework agreement on desirable working relationships between third sector organisations and the Liverpool First partnership, which includes the City Council.

It was first adopted in 2002 and is being revised due to a number of changes in the national policy agenda and new commissioning and procurement regimes, which will impact upon service delivery from voluntary sector providers.

The Compact recognises that voluntary and community groups play a vital role in the social, cultural, economic and political life of the city. This agreement covers shared values, acceptable ways of working, sustainability, communication, strategic co-operation and equalities issues, and outlines commitments from all partners in an action plan to be reviewed annually.

By working together, Liverpool City Council and Liverpool First partner agencies can play a positive role in supporting these groups. The agreement also ensures that groups can check their interests are in the protocol and encourages fair distribution of public sector resources.

Liverpool has a proud history of voluntary activity, with a dynamic and diverse voluntary sector that encompasses a wide range of relationships with public agencies.

The Local Government and Involvement in Health Act 2007 requires local authorities and public bodies to develop methods of engagement with local communities as a means of involving them in key decision-making and service provision.

To ensure sustainable engagement and empowerment, the adoption of a model process is essential in order to work together on budgets and safeguarding relations.

LCVS will establish a Compact Task Group to manage the action plan. This will ensure that the principles, values and practices are upheld through consistent scrutiny and refined performance reporting. The Compact has a strong emphasis on equality and inclusion and is essentially a benchmark of best practice.

For further information on the Compact, and for your chance to have a say, please contact Development Manager Howard Garner on 0151 227 5177.