Office of the Third Sector Homepage
The Deakin Commission Report on the Future of the Voluntary Sector and the policy document Building the Future Together, prepared by the Government when in Opposition, marked the beginning of the Compact. Both papers concluded that Government and the third sector have a number of complementary functions and shared values and that there should be a statement of intent, with the aim of improving understanding and developing the relationship.
The Compact was originally agreed in 1998 and was followed by five codes of practice. This agreement has now been refreshed and updated to reflect the policy and legislative changes that have taken place in the last decade.
At national level, the Compact applies to Government Departments, executive agencies, Government Offices for the Regions, Non-Departmental Public Bodies (NDPBs) and third sector organisations. Local Compacts adapt this national framework to suit local circumstances and govern the relationship at local level.
99% of local authority areas are covered by a Local Compact.
Established in 2006/7 the independent Commission for the Compact (an NDPB of the Cabinet Office and company limited by guarantee) promotes best practice in partnership working and oversees the operation of the Compact. It was set up following the consultation “Strengthening Partnerships: Next Steps for Compact”, where an overwhelming majority of respondents agreed that an independent champion of the Compact was needed. Sir Bert Massie is the Commissioner for the Compact (from April 2008).
The Commission for the Compact consulted from July 2008 after then Minister for the Third Sector, Phil Hope MP, asked Sir Bert Massie to stimulate a debate on the future of the Compact. Sir Bert reported at the end of November 2008 and recommended:
To keep a values-based and voluntary Compact (not a statutory Compact)
The Commission for the Compact, in conjunction with OTS and Compact Voice, produced a refreshed Compact consultation document. The consultation process was led by the Commission for the Compact, and the consultation ended on 12 October 2009. The purpose of this refresh was to ensure the Compact remained relevant and up to date in its second decade.