Bristol Compact
Introduction
1. What is a Compact?
The Bristol Compact is an agreement made between local public agencies and the voluntary and community sector (VCS) in the city. It is endorsed by Bristol Partnership. It defines and strengthens positive working relationships between the public and voluntary and community sectors by establishing :
* a set of working principles that all partners are signed up to
* a framework for developing better working practices and positive partnership working, particularly within Bristol Partnership and in the delivery of the Local Area Agreement
2. Why have a local Compact?
In 1998 the Government published a national Compact with the VCS. This recognised the value and importance of the sector and made a number of commitments about ways of working together. The Government required local Compacts to be in place by April 2004. The Bristol Compact was adopted in November 2003. This updated version was produced in 2007.
Since then Government has reinforced the need for implementation of local Compacts as a tool for achieving positive working relationships and ultimately positive benefits for local citizens. The final report of the Third Sector Review (July 2007) under the theme of 'supporting a thriving, healthy third sector' states the need for 'a continued focus on the Compact as a means to build the relationship between the third sector and all levels of Government'.
At the heart of the Compact is the need to acknowledge the power imbalance between the public sector and the VCS and implement a Compact way of working at all times to ensure positive partnerships and outcomes.
Implementation of the Compact principles will lead to better partnership working and ultimately better community focussed services that deliver to local people.
3. Consultation
The original Compact document was produced by the Bristol Compact Project Group, convened by Bristol City Council on behalf of Bristol Partnership. The Compact resulted from a process of consultation which demonstrated strong commitment to the Compact principles.
The Project Group included involvement from Black Development Agency, The Care Forum, Voscur, Volunteering Bristol, Bristol City Council, Bristol South and West PCT, Bristol North PCT, West of England Connexions and the Government Office for the South West.
An updated version has been produced by the Compact Steering Group and consulted on with Bristol Partnership.
Ways you can get involved:
You can download a copy of the Compact from:
http://www.voscur.org/bristolcompact
