Briefings

This section highlights the latest local or national news that will be of interest to all voluntary and community groups, this may include issues such as the development of the local Compact, or the Home Office consultation on funding for infrastructure organisations.

Compact
On the relations between Gateshead Council and the voluntary/community sector in Gateshead

What is the compact?
Why a compact?
Who is involved?
What's in the compact?
What are the codes of practice?
What happens next?


What is the compact?
The compact is an agreement between the Council and the voluntary sector about the way in which they will work together to improve the lives of the people of Gateshead. The voluntary and community sector has always existed in Gateshead and the Council has always supported it in a number of ways. Lots of local people have been and continue to be very much involved, helping out as volunteers. But the relationship, whether its about funding or how voluntary organisations are consulted about things, has never been formally agreed, sometimes leading to unnecessary disagreements and disputes.

Why a compact?
Nationally the Government has signed up to a compact with national voluntary organisations and wants to see this agreement happen in all Council areas. The Government has not made it a condition, but are very encouraging about the benefits. Gateshead voluntary organisations and the Council had a full day conference in 2000. We also formed a series of working groups to write the compact and to look at the Codes of Practice.

The idea is that the compact is a general agreement and the Codes of Practice are the details of that agreement.

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Who is Involved?
There are hundreds of voluntary and community groups in Gateshead a lot of them may not have been contacted yet. But every effort is being made to make them aware of the compact. A number of groups have helped with the drafts and this will continue over the next few months. Any group is welcome to comment or become part of the working groups – volunteers are always welcome! The Council has sent Officers from the many departments to be involved in the writing from their point of view. This has been very helpful in getting people together and in understanding each other’s points of view.

What’s in the compact?
The compact talks about agreeing what we want for Gateshead – a “shared vision” of including community groups and people.
It talks about “shared principles” – like openness and honesty, equal opportunity for everyone.
It refers to how the Council will respect the views of voluntary and community groups.
It refers to how voluntary groups will listen to their members and be accountable to the public and the Council for their actions.
The compact encourages mutual respect and has a section on how to resolve any conflicts or disagreements.

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What are the Codes of Practice?
There are four Codes of Practice that have been produced. These are:

Valuing Volunteers
Recognising the true value of volunteers, and the contribution they make. Recognising the way in which they should be treated by the Council and voluntary organisations and finding ways to support them in their volunteering

Community participation, consultation and communication
Making sure that communities are properly consulted about events that affect them. That they are allowed to comment and have those comments taken seriously. Also that communication about changes or events is in a language or style that is understood by the communities concerned

Black, Minority Ethnic and Faith Communities
Respecting different cultures in society, how they can be included and supported in the voluntary and community sector and in partnerships with the Council. How their contribution to society can be better valued.

Finance and Funding
Recognising that the Council finances a lot of organisations, but that groups and organisations bring in money to the area as well. Also recognising that organisations need structured arrangements or contracts to know where they stand and proper consultation on any likely changes to those arrangements.

To download a copy of each code  -  contact

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What Happens Next?

The Codes of Practice have been signed by Gateshead Council's Cabinet and were formally launched at GVOC's AGM in October 2003.  A number of people from voluntary groups and the Council have worked on the Codes of Practice.

The Compact and the Codes of Practice will be reviewed every year to see if they are working or if they need changing in any way, or if there have been any disagreements.

Anyone is welcome to forward their views / comments. For more information contact:

Gateshead Council, Chief Executives Department Civic Centre, Gateshead, NE8 1HH Tel: 0191 433 3000

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