Results of the first Annual Local Compact Survey by Compact Voice show that 88 per cent of local areas believe “the Compact is important and that effort needs to be made to implement it in full”.
Compact Voice launched its comprehensive survey into the Compact in June, using both voluntary and community sector (VCS) and statutory sector representatives from 74 per cent of the local Compact areas.
The results showed majority support for the use of the Compact from both sides, with 82 per cent of statutory sources agreeing that the Compact is important and effort needs to be made to implement it in full, and 90 per cent of VCS sources agreeing. However the two sectors showed “sometimes startling difference” between perceptions of the use and effectiveness of the Compact.
“The problem does not appear to be a failure to see the importance of the Compact. The survey findings demonstrate that the contrary is true,” said Tom Elkins, Compact Voice Manager.
“However, the difference in perceptions between the sectors is concerning, particularly about how local Compacts and partnerships are faring. Many responses suggested that the problem is one of leadership and awareness, both locally and nationally. We will be using the findings from this survey to identify priority areas and key issues, which are acting as a barrier to better partnership working,” he said.
One set of results showed that just 40 per cent of VCS respondents believed the Compact was successful in helping to mitigate the impact of cuts to the sector, while this rose to 84 per cent in the statutory sector.
The findings “potentially highlight a lack of shared decision-making, a lack of dialogue on funding, and a lack of consideration to the broad principles of the Compact” the survey warns.
Some 202 local Compacts, derivatives of the national Compact, are in active use throughout England, while six have been drafted but not used, and nine local areas have no such document. The national Compact was launched in 1998 as an official agreement between the VCS and the government, setting out ways in which to work together.
The latest draft, the renewed Compact, was heavily criticised by the former Commission for the Compact, which warned that it had been “significantly weakened” by the coalition government's swift redrafting after coming into power, which it said left two-thirds of the paper unfit-for-purpose.
The Commission for the Compact, which was forced to close at the end of March following the removal of its funding by the coalition government, asked the sector to 'Use it or lose it' in its final paper regarding the Compact.
