Voluntary Sector Compact
Ashford Borough Compact was launched in June 2004 and sets out a
series of commitments and codes of practice to improve the working
relationship between Ashford Borough Council, Ashford Primary Care
Trust (now Eastern & Coastal Kent PCT) and the local voluntary
and community sector.
Its mission is:
- to improve communication, mutual understanding and trust
between sectors
- to encourage productive and positive working relationships
- to facilitate the delivery of quality services to local people
as Ashford grows
The Compact is a government-led
iniative and in recognition of some of the complex issues for
local compacts, especially in a two-tier council area such as Kent,
the Government has recently appointed a Compact Commissioner
and has consulted on a simplified 'Compact Plus'.
Similarly, Ashford Borough Council is currently working with
Kent Country Council, the NHS, the Police and Fire Service and
Kent Community Alliance of Networks to find a solution to the
unwieldy situation of 13 compacts (12 district and 1 KCC)
potentially through a singular 'Kent Partners' Compact' with local
action plans.
Key Objectives (KO’s):
- Consistency and cooperation in service delivery
- To agree codes of practice
- To encourage cross sector employment
- To make sharing the usual way of working
- To enable the voluntary sector to influence policies &
application
- To work together to deliver the social infrastructure necessary
to sustain Ashford’s growth
Key Measures of Success (KMS):
- Action points on funding are implemented
- Action points on representation, communication and consultation
are achieved
- Produce a good practice guide on how to involve users in
shaping service delivery
- Feasibility study for a one stop shop for town centre
- Introduce quality standards in the voluntary sector
- Promote volunteering widely and effectively
- Annual report from the Voluntary Sector Development
Officer
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):
- Number of days volunteered by Ashford Borough Coucil staff
under the Employee Volunteering Programme each year
Download the Voluntary Sector
Compact 96.4Kb PDF here
Author and Contact: Kim Harlow, Voluntary Sector
Manager 01233 330413
Passed by Executive: Yes
Review period: Annual
Review date: Summer 2005