1: Partnership working

Wolverhampton has used their local Compact to improve efficiency by developing one standard contract between voluntary and community organisations and the City Council. 

Partners in Gateshead have developed a series of innovative projects and policies, including Community Asset Transfer Policy, the Gateshead Volunteers Big Idea, and a Commissioning Improvement Policy. The local Compact enables the Council to commission a number of its services to the Voluntary and Community Sector, ensuring a strong partnership and a strong sector.

Oldham Council has recently made the shift to being a Cooperative Borough, and they’ve ensured that the local voluntary and community sector is at the heart of their new structure. The momentum that is being created to develop Oldham as a Cooperative Borough has helped to meaningfully embed the local Compact into their day to day practices.

Employees from Preston & Western Lancashire Racial Equality Council, Lancashire Constabulary, Lancashire County Council and Unison came together voluntarily to form a partnership called ‘Lancashire United Against Hate’.

By tackling the lack of resources available to assist with hate crime prevention in their area together, partners exemplified principles defined in the national Compact as “An Equal and Fair Society”. The subsequent DVD they produced has ended up having a wider-reaching impact.

By setting objectives and reviewing performance annually, the East Sussex Compact Steering Group has brought about a culture of continuous development within the East Sussex Compact.

The discourse between the Surrey Compact and Surrey County Council shows that all news, even bad news, is worth sharing.

This guide, published by NCVO in 2011, makes a series of recommendations for local authorities on the ways they can support the sector and alleviate strain by helping organisations adapt to any changes in funding.