A LOCAL COMPACT FOR NORTHUMBERLAND

Building relations between the sectors 

Background

The Northumberland Strategic Partnership (NSP), together with Alnwick Area Partnership, Berwick Borough Local Strategic Partnerships, Blyth Valley Local Strategic Partnership, Castle Morpeth Local Strategic Partnership, Tynedale Community Partnership, and Wansbeck Initiative are committed to there being a healthy partnership between the statutory sector and the voluntary and community sector (VCS).  This is on the basis that both sectors are working to the same ends, share similar values and have a number of complementary functions.

This Compact expresses the mutual commitment of the statutory sector and the VCS within the sub-region to work in partnership for the betterment of society, to nurture and support voluntary and community activity, and to jointly influence regional/national policy where appropriate.

The success of the agreement depends on the commitment of all those who “sign up” to it, and the extent to which they adopt the principles that underpin it.  It represents the foundation of an ongoing process to make a real and positive difference to joint working and partnership.  The next step will be to underpin the broad undertaking with operational codes of conduct.

Disagreements as to its application will be resolved, as far as possible, by the parties involved.  To assist this process, where the parties agree, the services of an independent mediator may be sought.  At the annual review of the Compact, consideration will also be given to whether there is a need to strengthen the complaints and redress process in the light of operating the agreement.

Undertakings of the statutory sector

Policy development and consultation

The statutory sector is committed to dialogue with the VCS.  It therefore undertakes to consult with and involve the sector about:

·       the development of public policies, programmes and procedures which are likely to affect the VCS;

·       proposals or policy changes which are likely to mean that the voluntary sector has new or different roles and responsibilities;

·       changes to statutory services which may have significant impacts on the VCS; and

·       issues which the VCS is well-placed to comment upon, bearing in mind the sector’s grass roots knowledge, experience and skills.

In fulfilling this undertaking, the statutory sector will:

·       allow timely and reasonable consultation timescales, which take into account the need of the VCS to meaningfully consult their users, beneficiaries and stakeholders;

·       use plain language and avoid jargon in consultation documents intended for VCS scrutiny, and provide concise summaries of extended documents wherever possible;

·       give due consideration to any feedback received from the VCS, and provide an appropriate response within a reasonable timescale;

·       ensure that the VCS is provided with the opportunity to be appropriately represented on public boards, agencies and working groups; and

·       respect, within the constraints of the law, the confidentiality of information provided by the VCS.

Support and Funding

The statutory sector is committed to supporting the development and continuity of

a vibrant VCS.  It therefore undertakes to:

·       assist in the promotion and development of infrastructure and networks which support voluntary and community organisations, and volunteering;

·       advocate funding and other support resources against clear, relevant and consistent criteria;

·       establish clear and transparent arrangements for agreeing and evaluating objectives, performance indicators, and other targets;

·       ensure prompt payment of any agreed funding;

·       inform voluntary and community organisations about their future funding (or other support) as early as possible, normally before the end of the existing support provided;

·       seek to provide or facilitate access to long term, multi-year funding, where possible and appropriate; and

·       encourage and promote the principles of full cost recovery in the procurement of public services.

Better local governance

The statutory sector is committed to developing and achieving effective working relationships with the VCS.  It therefore undertakes to:

·       adhere to the principles of good regulation and open government with decisions and findings made public and explained, subject to issues of confidentiality;

·       ensure that their members and staff are fully informed about the Compact, adhere to the principles and undertakings, and are regularly updated on its development and progress;

·       promote the principles set out in this Compact to public bodies and encourage them to subscribe to its undertakings; and

·       review the operation of this Compact annually in conjunction with the VCS.

Undertakings of the voluntary and community sector

Accountability and Standards

The VCS is committed to maintaining high standards of good practice.  It therefore undertakes to:

·       respect and be accountable to the law, and in the case of charities, observe the appropriate guidance from the Charity Commission for England and Wales;

·       adopt appropriate arrangements to govern the conduct of their organisations;

·       meet their obligations to report, and be accountable to, its members, service users, carers and volunteers;

·       meet agreed monitoring and evaluation obligations to funders;

·       develop and use quality standards which are appropriate and relevant to them; and

·       explore ways in which the resources within the sector can be shared and maximised.

Policy development and consultation

The VCS is committed to influencing and shaping the development of public policies, programmes and procedures.  It therefore undertakes to:

·       maintain an independent and constructively critical perspective with regard to providing feedback to the statutory sector;

·       respond fully and meaningfully to statutory sector consultation, including representation at meetings where possible;

·       respect the confidentiality of statutory sector information, when offered on such a basis; and

·       advise the statutory sector of VCS plans and activity that may have a significant impact on the development of public policies, programmes and procedures.

In fulfilling this undertaking, the VCS will ensure that:

·       service users, carers, volunteers, members and supporters are informed and consulted on statutory sector policy development issues;

·       when making representations to the statutory sector on behalf of the VCS, those representations accurately reflect the views of the sector; and

·       appropriate reporting back procedures to organisations in the sector are put in place.

Good practice

The VCS is committed to promoting good practice in developing effective working relationships both within the sector and with the statutory sector.  It therefore undertakes to:

·       fully involve service users, carers, volunteers, members and supporters in the development and management of their activities;

·       develop and put in place policies for promoting best practice and equality of opportunity in their activities, employment, involvement of volunteers, and service provision;

·       respect the right of the statutory sector to comment on the policies, plans and activity of the VCS;

·       ensure that their members and staff are fully informed about the Compact, adhere to the principles and undertakings, and are regularly updated on its development and progress;

·       promote the principles set out in this Compact to voluntary and community organisations and encourage them to subscribe to its undertakings; and

·       review the operation of this Compact annually in conjunction with the statutory sector.

Signatories

The following organisations have agreed to apply and adhere to the undertakings of the Local Compact: