Update on Compact renewal - guest blog

For this blog entry, Tom Elkins from Compact Voice is guest blogging to give an update on what's happening with the Compact renewal process. Visit www.compactvoice.org.uk/renewal for more information and to give your views.

Three weeks ago, the announcement was made that the Compact was going to be renewed. Since then, much has happened, and the team at Compact Voice have been kept busy trying to gather as many views and opinions from the voluntary and community sector as possible.

After the initial announcement, we emailed our members and networks, both to update them on the process, and also to find out if there were any opportunities for Compact Voice to attend events, promote the draft document, join in with discussions, and gather as many views as we could.

We expected that we might be able to join in with a dozen or so during the six-week period. In the end we received information about nearly seventy events happening across the country. Some requested that we attend and run detailed discussions on the new document, others that we be on hand to answer any questions, and others kindly offered to distribute materials. As a result, we’ve been busy…

We’ve already travelled to many events across England, some big, some small, some with engaged Compact workers, some with people who have had little direct interaction with the Compact. All have provided incredibly useful understanding to enable us and government to develop the best possible Compact, based on the experiences of those who use it, and those who benefit from it.

Key issues to emerge…

A few trends have definitely emerged, and the context (new announcements from government, leaked documents, the ever looming spending review) has led to some interesting discussions, and some strong opinions. Many people have been supportive of the proposed changes to the length of the document, recognising that a shorter Compact might mean more people will invest the time to read, understand and use it.

Most have recognised the need to update the Compact to ensure it's aligned to current Government thinking, recognising it as a living document which should be adapted to meet new opportunities and address new challenges. The Compact has been described as being at the heart of the government’s Big Society initiative, and may prove vital to translating these aspirations into practice.

Differing Opinions

However, on some issues there have been wide differences of opinion. At a recent event the issue of continued support for infrastructure groups – particularly those at local level - sparked heated discussion, and the shortened equalities section has also prompted lengthy debate.

Many are relieved that the Compact has survived the transition between governments, with people commenting that they are reassured about the continued commitment to it expressed in recent high-level announcements. Others have pointed out that supportive words haven’t always translated into practice, citing examples of national and local instances where the Compact has not been used.

Most have welcomed the announcement that new accountability mechanisms will be introduced which ensure that such Compact breaches are meaningfully tackled. We look forward to hearing more from Government on these soon.

Tom Elkins, Compact Voice Manager