| What is a Compact?
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The National Compact
The National Compact is an agreement between the voluntary and community sector and the government to improve their relationship for mutual advantage.
It commits both sides to a set of principles and seeks to ensure that voluntary and community activity is supported and encouraged.
Below are some of the key principles included in the compact:
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Voluntary action is an essential component of a democratic society
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An independent and diverse voluntary and community sector is fundamental to the wellbeing of society
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There is added value in working in partnership towards common aims and objectives and the need for integrity, objectivity, honesty and leadership is essential
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The government plays a significant role, among other things, as a funder of some voluntary and community organisations.
The compact also includes five codes of good practice:
For more information on the National Compact: www.thecompact.org.uk
The Somerset Compact
‘After the success of the National Compact local partners were encouraged to create their own Compact. In April 2006 the Somerset Compact was agreed and partners to the Compact have been working on implementing the Somerset Compact since then.
As a result of the first review of the Compact in April 2007 the Compact document has now been made more easy to read and accessible for everyone, specifically for smaller voluntary and community groups.
A copy of the Compact and an easy-to-read summary can be downloaded below.
The Somerset Compact, full document
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The Somerset Compact, summary
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Have you not signed up to the Compact yet? Now is your chance! Download a sign-up form here:
Sign-up form
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Compact Plus
The Home Office has launched plans to strengthen the compact with Compact Plus. Voluntary and community organisations nationally and locally were asked to build on the work and time given to the compact since its introduction in 1998 and influence its future through national consultation. Proposals include a short set of commitments which public sector bodies and voluntary and community sector organisations can opt into, and a Compact Champion who would support organisations in realising those commitments and adjudicate on disagreements. The proposals also invite comments on the potential of a kitemark or accreditation scheme to cover the compact.
These proposals have now been adopted, and a Compact Commissioner, John Stoker, was appointed in September 2006.
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