the sunderland compact stephanie blayney partnership development manager graham burt strategy...
TRANSCRIPT
The Sunderland Compact
Stephanie Blayney
Partnership Development Manager
Graham Burt
Strategy Development Manager
The Sunderland Compact
“The Sunderland Compact (our Local Compact) provides a framework to improve partnership working between voluntary and community sector organisations in Sunderland and organisations of the Sunderland Partnership, of which the Sunderland Community Network is a partner. The Compact recognises the complementary role and diversity of organisations across the Voluntary and Community Sector; the value of the sector in the development and delivery of policy and services; the critical role of the sector; and the importance of its continued independence.”
Sunderland Compact (2008)
The Sunderland Compact
• Based on the National Compact • Agreement between organisations of the Sunderland
Partnership and the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) which lays the foundation of how we will work together
• Exists to enhance partnership working arrangements to ensure better outcomes for citizens
Why do we need a Compact?
• In 2000 all Local Authorities were given a duty to develop a “local Compact”
• The Sunderland Compact is crucial to local relations and compacts are becoming the benchmark for improving them.
• The Compact is key to links between local policy including Local Area Agreements/Arrangements and the Sunderland Partnership.
• Local Compacts will ensure a “Compact way of working” is embedded into partner organisations.
• Sunderland Compact is a living document which is reactive to changing local relationships and priorities.
Policy Context
• 2006 White Paper – The Local Government and Public Involvement Act 2007
• 2007 Sustainable Communities Act• 2008 Empowerment White Paper • 2009 New Duty to Involve• 2009 Refreshed National Compact
Policy Context: Local• Community Leadership Programme• Local Area Plans• Area Arrangements• 2008 Sunderland Community Development Plan• Sunderland Strategy• LAA
Relevant Performance Indicators
• NI3 – civic participation in the local area• NI4 - % people who feel they can influence decisions in their
locality• NI6 – participation in regular volunteering • NI7 – environment for a thriving third sector• DfT DSO – to enhance access to jobs, services, and social
networks, including the most disadvantaged• CLG DSO – Build prosperous communities by improving the
economic performance of cities, sub-regions and local areas, promoting regeneration and tackling deprivation
• BUT VCS need to be involved in delivery of as many NIs as possible
The Sunderland Compact structure
• Main Compact document – overarching framework• Codes of Practice – provide the detailed agreement:
– Funding and Procurement– Volunteering– Involvement and Consultation– Voluntary and Community Groups– Older People– Disabilities
• Codes of Practice under development through the IAGs:– BME – Younger people– Faith– Gender– Sexuality
• Compact file for all signatories
How will the Compact make a difference?
• Builds trust and understanding
• Recognises and supports the contribution that each makes to improving the lives of individuals and communities
• Equity in relationships
• Informed policy decisions, based on the expert knowledge of people on the ground
• Better programme funding that more closely reflects the needs of users
• Progress towards a more equal society, by identifying and tackling inequality and discrimination
• Value for money
Compact Implementation Group
• To oversee the implementation and further development of the Sunderland Compact.
• Representation from both organisations of the Sunderland Partnership and VCS organisations.
• Quarterly meetings• Review progress made on the implementation of the
Compact, including performance management• Develop marketing and training arrangements• Compact compliance mediation • Representatives?
Compact Compliance
• Stage 1: Informal – open and transparent dialogue between partners
• Stage 2: Formal mediation – Compact Implementation Group
• Stage 3: Formal intervention – Delivery Improvement Board
• Stage 4: National support – Compact Advocacy Programme / Public Law Project
Compact Monitoring and Reporting
• Quarterly reviews of the Compact and Codes of Practice– Evidence of implementation– Performance management of delivery plan
• Impact Assessment Questionnaire to signatories (prior to 3rd Quarter meeting)
• Annual Review• Annual Compact Conference (Compact Week,
November)
Implementing the Compact
• Ensuring all organisations of the Sunderland Partnership are signed up to the Compact and they have a Compact link officer
• Through Sunderland Community Network encourage further VCS sign up to the Compact
• Establishing the Compact Implementation Group within the Sunderland Partnership
• Challenge of demonstrating the value of the Compact (performance management)
Examples of Implementation
• Volunteering Toolkit• City Council grants protocol as part of an Intelligent
Commissioning Framework• City Council SIB application form redesigned to be
Compact compliant• City Council development of an e-learning
programme around the Compact & forthcoming establishment of Compact Officer Group
• PCT alignment of grants process with the Compact
Challenges for 2010/2011
• Ensuring that all organisations of the Sunderland Partnership embed the Compact in its structures
• Increasing awareness and understanding across sectors
• Ensuring the value of the Compact is demonstrated in performance reporting and development of a knowledge base
• Impact of the recession
Discussion Questions
1 Does your wider organisation understand the Compact and its benefits? If not, what needs to happen to achieve this? What support do you need from us to do this?
2 What do you believe the key challenges for your organisation are in relation to the Compact?
3 We are looking into options to further increase understanding between sectors, for example a shadowing week during Compact week in November. • Would you find this useful and are there any barriers we
may need to consider? • Do you have any suggestions on how we can increase
cross-sectoral understanding?
Compact Implementation Group – Reminder
• Please let us know who the representative from your organisation will be
• They will be the link which ensures that your organisation is up to date with Compact developments and has access to implementation support
Contact details
Stephanie Blayney
Partnership Development Manager
Sunderland City Council
0191 561 4603
www.sunderlandcompact.org.uk