[WiLT] No welcome for plans to extend the third sector compact

[WiL Admin]

No welcome for plans to extend the third sector compact

Third sector leaders have criticised plans to extend the voluntary
sector compact to cover social enterprises and cooperatives.

The compact was formed in 1998 to improve the relationship between the
government and the voluntary and community sector in England but did
not incorporate other third sector organisations.

The Commission for the Compact has suggested the accord could be
widened as part of efforts to strengthen the agreement.

Ceri Jones, senior policy officer at the Social Enterprise Coalition
lobby group, said: 'The compact codes of practice would have to change
significantly to be applicable to social enterprises. We have concerns
that it would be very difficult to establish a shared set of best
practice that is appropriate for voluntary and community organisations
as well as the social enterprise business model.'

The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO), an umbrella
body for voluntary and community groups, also expressed concerns.

'The wider the remit the greater the risk the compact could become too
complex or bland,' said Ann Blackmore, head of policy at NCVO.

'If it's too complex both sides will find it harder to use. We must
all work in partnership to find a balance. The primary issue is about
getting people on both sides to understand its value.'

The proposal is included in a three-month informal consultation on the
future of the compact and the commission itself, which will lead to a
full public consultation at a later date.

The commission said reform was needed because the government was not
meeting its commitments 'fully and consistently' despite having had a
decade to embed the agreement into its policies.

Other proposals include making the compact statutory. Since such an
arrangement would allow the government to force an organisation to
meet specific commitments, the commission has suggested bodies be
given the option of opting out of a legally binding compact.

An alternative proposal could see England following arrangements in
Wales where the assembly is legally required to outline how it intends
to promote the interests of voluntary organisations.

The government would then have to account for its performance in
parliament each year.

In July compact commissioner Sir Bert Massie said the compact could be
substantially weakened if it was given statutory backing (New Start,
11 July). Instead he called for the commission itself to be placed on
a statutory footing.

http://www.newstartmag.co.uk/news/article/third-sector-leaders-voice-concerns-over-widening-compact-to-include-social-firms

Debating the future of the compact website is at
http://www.thecompact.org.uk/compactdebate

A three month campaign to discuss the future of the Compact and the
role of the Commission for the Compact is now underway.

Includes links to:
* Discussion Paper
* ICC Debate Event
* NCVO Debate Event

A dedicated email address - debate at thecompact.org.uk - has been set up
to receive comments and will be open until Monday 10 November 2008.

The Commission will then analyse the views and evidence, and forward
proposals to the Minister of the Third Sector.