Policy

8 July, 2008

Third Sector Minister seeks review of Compact powers

Should legal powers be given to enforce the Compact?

Phil Hope, Third Sector Minister, yesterday asked Sir Bert Massie, the Compact Commissioner to lead a debate on whether the Compact should be supported by statutory powers.

In a letter to Sir Bert, the Minister asks the Commission for the Compact to conduct a wide and thorough debate across the third sector on whether the Commissioner should have legal powers to punish bodies that breach the Compact.

Commenting on the need for a review, the Third Sector Minister said -

'Ten years after its inception, it is time to look again at the Compact and how the third sector and local government can work together effectively to deliver first rate public services.

The Compact has helped to promote good practice in relations between councils and voluntary groups. Since 1998 however, there has been exceptional growth in the third sector, and its involvement in the market for public services contracts has become increasingly sophisticated.

For this reason, I have asked Sir Bert Massie to review the Compact and its Codes from top to bottom and ask third sector organisations and local government for their views on the Commission's statutory status. If the debate responses suggest there is a need for the Commission and Commissioner to be given legal powers to enforce the Compact, the Government is prepared to start work immediately towards making it happen.'

A three-month debate will be undertaken by the Commission in close co-operation with the Office of the Third Sector and Compact Voice, the organisation which represents the voluntary and community sector. Input is invited from all bodies that use or are affected by the Compact.

For more information, see the Cabinet Office press release Compact powers to be reviewed.

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