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Tameside Local Compact
(Second Edition published 2004)
A COMPACT FOR TAMESIDE
1.
Introduction
In 1998 the government published a “Compact on Relations
between Government and the Voluntary and Community Sector in
The Tameside Local Compact provides a basis for a
working relationship between the Voluntary and Community Sector in Tameside
(the Sector) and statutory agencies in Tameside . It is intended to be a living document that
will be monitored and reviewed annually to take into account the rapidly
changing world in which we live.
This
Compact was agreed following initial discussions between representatives of the
Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council (the Council) and the Sector and was the
first step in an ongoing process. The
process is now open to other public bodies
in Tameside to become partners
2.
Status of the Compact
The Compact has
been prepared with the help of a wide range of individuals and organisations
and is therefore independent of the policy of any particular body.
Whilst not legally
binding the Compact has been endorsed by the Sector, the Council and a number
of other statutory agencies as a general framework to guide and enhance the
relationship between them. It also
provides a framework for developing the closer strategic and operational
working arrangements in an open and accountable way and to enhance
collaboration between the partners.
The partners agree to work within the spirit of
the Compact in their relationship with each other and to inform each other if
they feel that it has not been adhered to.
3. Purpose
of the Compact
At a workshop held on
“The
Tameside Compact will enable Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council and the
Voluntary and Community Sector to work jointly, with mutual respect and
understanding, in a common effort to promote the well-being of all the people
of Tameside”
Other
statutory agencies signing up to the Compact endorse this joint statement.
4. Shared
vision
The Sector, the Council and other statutory agencies
will work together to support and represent the views and needs of the Tameside
community. They are committed to a shared undertaking to maintain and improve
the quality of life of all individuals and communities in Tameside.
5. Joint statement
The Sector and Statutory Agencies in Tameside agree that
in order to promote the best for people of Tameside there needs to be
increasing co-operation between all the organisations which help to promote the
well being of the people living in the Borough. There is already a strong
tradition of collaboration between the Council and the Sector with good joint
working and development in a number of areas. However, in order to increase the
effectiveness of the partnership, it is felt that there needs to be an
over-arching policy and practice framework within which such collaboration can
take place.
The Council values the important and unique part that
that the Sector plays in the life of the Borough and believes that it has a
vital role to play in helping the Council to achieve the aims of the Tameside
Community Plan. It recognises that the
Sector promotes innovation, encourages volunteering, and strengthens the voice
of its members and users as well as local people in the planning and delivery
of services. In addition it plays an
important part in the economic and cultural life of the Borough.
The Sector recognises that in order to achieve their
aims they need to work in close collaboration with a number of different
partners and sees the Council as a lead partner. Whilst welcoming the financial and other support
the Council gives to many of the organisations in Tameside they do not see the
Council purely as a source of funding. The Sector feels that it is important to
work more closely with the Council in terms of its responsibilities for
planning and delivering services and its power to promote the well being of the
people of the Borough.
Statutory agencies and the Sector believe that to achieve their aims, and
to truly serve the people of Tameside, continual and close co-operation not
only needs to be maintained but also improved.
Statutory agencies and the Sector formally acknowledge
that they have shared objectives and will work together to achieve a Community
Development Strategy. Whilst they respect the differences in accountability,
history and processes they also recognise that at times there may be
disagreement between the parties and therefore a mediation procedure has been developed and is
outlined in Section 10. However, the
Compact is seen as a major step towards developing the best possible community
infrastructure for the people of Tameside.
6. Shared principles and values
The Sector and Statutory agencies
jointly agree that:
·
they need
to work in partnership to achieve their joint aims with open and transparent
communication and decision making systems
·
they have
distinct but complementary roles in the development and delivery of public
policy and services
·
they should
strive for integrity , accountability , openness and honesty in all their
dealings
·
there is
great value in working together towards common aims and objectives
·
many groups
and communities, particularly small community organisations, such as self-help,
faith and black and minority ethnic groups, can be excluded from decision
making structures and there is a need to make special efforts to include such
groups
·
information
about any organisation or council department used in the preparation of
reports, particularly for funding bids, must be accurate and the information
should be agreed by the parties concerned before the information is used or
quoted
·
there is a
need for support for the Sector to enable it to be an "active"
partner
The Sector recognises that:
·
working in
partnership with the Council enhances their ability to meet their own
objectives, and that partnership agreements impose a duty on all parties to
contribute appropriately and to honour any joint agreements
·
it is
important to maintain high standards of governance, conduct and accountability
·
members and
service users need to be involved to the greatest possible extent in the
development and management of their organisation and its services
·
organisations
have a responsibility to develop systems of accountability to funders, members
and users of their services and in accordance with charity and other laws
·
organisations
need to inform and consult their members, service users and other relevant
voluntary and community organisations as far as is possible when fulfilling a
representative role
·
there is a
need to advocate policies which ensure and promote equality of opportunity in
employment practice, in the involvement of volunteers and in service provision
Statutory agencies recognise:
·
the
independence and diversity of the Sector and see this as fundamental to the
social and economic well being and development of the Borough
·
that the
work of voluntary and community organisations, and the contribution of
individual volunteers, adds intrinsic value to their work
·
that
voluntary and community organisations are entitled to exercise their right to
advocate and campaign for themselves and their clients or users in order to
advance their aims provided that they work within the law
·
that they
have a significant role to play in supporting the Sector and recognise the
added value that such support can bring;
·
that they
need to support the maintenance and development of the infrastructure needed to
sustain a flourishing voluntary and community sector;
·
that they
need to support systems which enable the wide range and diversity of groups,
interests and views within the voluntary and community sector to be heard;
·
that they
need to ensure that wherever possible they maintain a consistency of approach
and good practice in their dealings with the Sector;
·
that they
will consult appropriately with the relevant parts of the Sector when
developing policies and strategies which will affect them.
Key areas
These principles will apply in all the dealings between the members of
the partnership and will be set out in specific Codes of Conduct in such areas
as:
·
Consultation
·
Funding
·
Volunteering
·
Community
groups
·
Black and
minority ethnic organisations
These codes will be developed in full co-operation
between the partners over the next two years. The principles which will
underpin these codes are given in sections 7, 8 and 9.
7. Consultation
and Communication
These following principles will be adhered to within the
Sector itself as well as between the Sector and Statutory agencies:
·
Consultation
processes will be clear, open and accessible to all groups particularly those
with special needs
·
The aims
and final decision-making process following consultation should be clear from
the outset
·
Consultation
should be as timely as possible to allow proper debate and input into
decision-making processes
·
Feedback on
final decisions and why these were made should be given to the Sector after
consultation has occurred
·
All parties
have a responsibility to ensure that consultation processes are as inclusive as
possible
·
Effective
communication channels should exist between each service area of Statutory
agencies and the appropriate parts of the Sector
·
Effective
representational and communication systems should exist between all parts of
the Sector
·
There
should be a named officer within each service area of Statutory agencies
responsible for liaison with the Sector
8. Funding
These principles apply to all funding that Statutory
agencies provide for the Sector either financially or in kind. Under normal
tendering procedures where Statutory agencies are purchasing a specific service
from an organisation these arrangements will be dealt with as part of standard
contracting procedures.
Statutory agencies recognise: -
·
the
importance of their role as a funder for the Sector
·
that the
funding that they provide should have a clear link to overall priorities for
Tameside
·
that they
should state clearly what particular areas of activity they will fund and why
·
that they
should specify over what period funding is granted
·
that they
should provide clear guidance for the Sector on the grant application,
decision-making and monitoring processes
·
that they
should have monitoring arrangements for grants awarded which are commensurate
with the level of funding.
The
Sector recognises
·
the
importance of the support given by Statutory agencies to the Sector, whilst
acknowledging that the sector should maximise the funding it can gain from
other sources
·
that any
voluntary or community organisation in receipt of funding from Statutory
agencies should ensure that it meets any accountability obligations with regard
to the way public money is spent.
9.
Tameside Strategic Partnership
The Sector and Statutory agencies will work together to develop a true
partnership based on mutual respect and understanding of their different
responsibilities and priorities. The
Sector and Statutory agencies: -
·
are
committed to co-operating on matters such as strategic planning, policy
development and new service development
·
will work
together to develop, monitor and regularly review guidelines to increase the
effectiveness of the partnership
·
recognise
that at times there may be conflicting interests but that this should not
undermine the overarching principles of the partnership
·
recognise
that no one voluntary or community organisation can truly represent the views
of the whole of the Sector and therefore shall ensure that, as far as is
feasible, appropriate consultation will take place with all relevant
organisations
·
recognise
that there may be differing priorities and views within the Sector and that
these differences should be openly aired and heard
·
will set up an ongoing monitoring, review and evaluation process
10.
Resolution of Disputes
The Tameside Compact sets out a general framework for enhancing the
relationship between statutory agencies and the voluntary and community
sectors. As far as possible, disagreements
over the application of that framework should be resolved between the
parties. The aim of the Compact is to
build up trust and collaboration; in order to uphold this principle, it is
expected that all possible informal routes for resolving disagreements arising
in relation to the implementation of the Compact will be explored and exhausted
as a first step.
In the event that matters remain unresolved in this
way, and would benefit from the intervention of a third party, the Compact
Group has established a mediation process. Advice on whether an issue is
appropriate for consideration through this process will be provided by T3SC,
and decisions on this will be taken by the Compact Group, who have established
a cross-sector Mediation Panel. Further details about the Mediation process can
be obtained from one of the contact points provided (see appendix).
As a last resort, and where the matters under
consideration constitute maladministration, a complaint may be made to the
Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration in the usual way.
Appendix
One Mediation Process
Opening Statement
Tameside Compact Group have developed a Mediation
Process which is specific to the needs of Tameside. It is not a
Complaints Procedure, and is intended to be seen and used as a tool
which has the potential to improve joint working and mutual understanding
between agencies and sectors. It is based on principles of impartiality,
fairness and equal opportunities.
The process begins with an informal stage, and only
moves to formal procedures as a last resort. The Compact Group recognises that
the purpose of the Compact can best be fulfilled where the relationships
between agencies and sectors are based on a genuine desire to reach common
ground, even when difficulties occur.
The Mediation process should be seen as an
opportunity to draw out some of the lessons which are implicit in managing the
relationships within Tameside, and learn from them.
Stage One
In the first instance, any issues which are referred
for mediation by all sectors will be passed to T3SC for advice on whether this
is a Compact issue.
A Compact issue is defined as a situation in which
there is a clear breach of the agreed processes and procedures as set out in
the Tameside Compact and its associated Codes of Practice.
T3SC will encourage informal resolution, and will
offer support in achieving this. If this is not a Compact issue, the party(ies)
will be advised on an appropriate means of redress. If this is a Compact issue,
and cannot be resolved at this stage, Stage Two of the process begins.
Stage Two
Stage Two begins with the issue being referred to a
Panel of 4 people drawn from the current membership of the Compact Group. The
Panel will include at least 1 person each from the statutory and third
sectors.
The Panel will consider the issue, and will advise
firstly on whether they agree that this is a Compact issue. If it is not, they
will signpost the party(ies) to an appropriate mechanism to deal with the
issue. If it is a Compact issue, they will encourage an informal resolution,
and this will be reported back to the Compact Group. Only when all other
efforts have been exhausted, Stage 3 – the formal process – will begin.
Stage Three
A Panel of 5 people drawn
from the current membership of the Compact Group will convene to consider the
issue. The Terms of Reference for the Panel are set out in the following
Section. This is the formal stage of the process; the Panel will receive a
written outline of the issue(s), and will seek to meet with, and hear evidence
from, both/all parties to the dispute in order to ensure that a fair and
balanced process takes place.
Outcomes of Mediation
Learning will be drawn
from the outcomes of the mediation process, and will be reviewed annually. The
review will focus on identifying improvements in the relationships between
agencies and sectors in Tameside, and will identify and highlight patterns of
behaviour.
If any partner agency, by
clear consensus of the Compact Group, consistently fails to adhere to the
Tameside Compact and its associated Codes, the Compact Group will consider the
implications for the sectors within Tameside as a whole and will take
appropriate action.
Terms of Reference for Mediation Panel
Membership
The Panel will be made up of 5 people, of which:
·
2 will be from the third sector
·
2 from the statutory sector
·
1 from the corporate (private)
sector.
The Compact Group will appoint 2 standing members (
1 each from the third sector and statutory sector), and these - together with 3
additional members to be drawn from the current membership of the Compact Group
– will form the membership of each Panel.
Remit
The Mediation Panel can only deal with issues which
are referred through the mediation process, and which are clearly related to
the implementation of Tameside Compact and its associated Codes of
Practice.
Before a Panel is convened, clear evidence that the
issue has progressed through Stages One and Two of the process must be
demonstrated.
Accountability
The Mediation Panel is drawn from and accountable to
the Compact Group.
Responsibilities
The Panel is responsible for:
·
Ensuring that the most
appropriate means of dealing with the issues are advised to the parties
involved
·
Ensuring that the process is
fair, impartial and transparent
·
Maintaining confidentiality as
appropriate
·
Implementing equal opportunities
in all processes and procedures
·
Working towards consensus in
decision making
·
Ensuring that the outcomes of the
process are communicated to the parties involved and to the Compact Group
·
Ensuring that any learning is
drawn out from the outcomes of mediation, and included in the Annual Review of
the Compact
Process
The Panel will:
·
Receive a written briefing,
outlining the nature of the issues involved
·
Seek to meet with both parties
separately in order to clarify the Panel’s understanding of the issues
·
Seek to bring the parties
together for a joint discussion in order to develop better understanding and
improved relationships between the two parties
·
Consider the evidence and reach a
decision (by consensus) on whether the issue constitutes a breach of the
Tameside Compact and its Codes
·
Produce a written recommendation
to which both parties will be invited to sign up.
Contact:
Tameside Third Sector Coalition (T3SC)
Ashton under Lyne
OL6 6XN
Tel. 0161 339
4985
Fax. 0161 339 0881
e-mail: info.t3sc@btconnect.com
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Tameside Local Compact
At a
meeting of the Board /Committee held on ___/___/2004, it
was agreed that our organisation wishes to demonstrate its support and
commitment to Tameside Local Compact.
The
Board/Committee accept the principles and values enshrined in the document, and
we undertake to work within the spirit of the Compact for the benefit of the
communities of Tameside that we serve.
Signed:
Name
(please print)
Position
within organisation:
On behalf
of (organisation name)
Contact
address:
Please keep one
copy of this form for your records, and return a signed copy to:
T3SC
Ashton under
Lyne
OL6 6XN