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Wirral Compact

Purpose of the Compact

The Wirral Compact will provide a framework for ensuring good and productive relationships between voluntary and community sector organisations and the wide range of statutory organisations in Wirral.

  • It is a fundamental reference document and a starting point for monitoring and evaluating the quality of relationships, partnerships and cross-sector working, at all levels.
  • It sets out the key principles and shared vision and undertakings, and will be used to develop codes of good working practice in key areas.
  • It promotes better understanding between the sectors.
  • It provides frameworks for supporting and promoting social inclusion.
  • It supports and reinforces the application of `Best Value` principles in relationships between statutory and voluntary organisations.
  • It ultimately improves outcomes for the local community and individual service users.

What is the Wirral Compact?

It is an agreement between the voluntary and community sector and statutory sector partners. Its’ purpose is to define and strengthen relationships between the statutory sector and the voluntary and community sectors for the benefit of Wirral people.

The Compact is a commitment to work together more closely, and to respect each others rights and responsibilities. It is also a starting point for further development and will be used in the implementation of new initiative in terms of policy and practice, for example, the new community planning arrangements, Best Value, Neighbourhood Renewal and Modernising Local Government. It is the intention that all statutory sector agencies (for example Primary Care & Hospital Trusts; Police etc) will ‘sign up’ to the Wirral Compact. Wider participation in, and commitment to, the Wirral Compact, and its’ ongoing development will be monitored and reviewed by linking into the work of the Local Strategic Partnership and the Voluntary and Community Sectors’ Networks.

Background to the Compact

The decision to undertake the task of developing a Wirral Compact between the voluntary and community sectors and statutory organisations in Wirral is the result of a number of local and national developments affecting relationships between the sectors, including:

  • A desire to build on the substantial local experience of cross sector working that already exists between the statutory, voluntary and community sectors in Wirral
  • Publication of the National Compact on relations between Government and the Voluntary and Community Sector in England (Nov.98). This document was negotiated by representatives of national voluntary organisations and published by the Home Office. It was recognised as the beginning of a long process to foster good working relationships at all levels.
  • Government’s acknowledgement of the vital role of the voluntary and community sector in society.
  • Government policies and funding processes requiring the genuine and demonstrable involvement of voluntary and community organisations.
  • Increased need and demand for real partnership working.

Shared Principles

  • We have a commitment to working together to deliver high quality services to the people of Wirral
  • We are all committed to equal opportunities for all the citizens of Wirral irrespective of race, gender, disability, age, language, sexual orientation or religion
  • We recognise that the independence and diversity of the voluntary and community sectors is fundamental to the social, economic and environmental well being of the people of Wirral
  • We have a shared belief that by working together we will achieve more with finite resources
  • We believe that by working in partnership, organisations in all sectors can better fulfil their obligations and responsibilities
  • We have a shared recognition of the importance of sustainability in the planning and provision of services
  • We believe that all partners are responsible for their actions and that relationships between partners should be based on integrity, objectivity, openness and honesty

Joint Undertakings for the Statutory and Voluntary & Community Sectors

We will:

  • Work together to develop policies and services, to meet the present and future needs of people and communities in Wirral.
  • Develop partnership working to make effective use of resources and minimise duplication of effort.
  • Work together to promote the value of the Wirral Compact, monitor and evaluate its’ effectiveness and ensure it makes a positive difference to joint working.
  • Promote the Wirral Compact and what it means in principle and in practise amongst all partner organisations.
  • Work together to monitor, review and develop the Wirral COMPACT.

Develop Codes of Practice around the following areas:-

Consultation
Funding
Volunteering
Working with the Community
Working with BME Groups

Last Updated: Draft Edition October 2007