The Compact

The national Compact on relations between Government and the Community and Voluntary Sector was publised in November 1998. It provides a framework to help guide the relationship at every level and is seen as a document of both practical and symbolic importance.

The Brighton & Hove Compact was initially drawn up by the Forum and negotiated with a range of partner agencies before it was formally signed in March 2001. It was updated and resigned by those partners in 2003.

The Aims and Objectives of the Compact are to:

• Improve communication, common understanding, collaboration, trust and respect between the Community and Voluntary Sector and the Statutory Sector.
  
• Set a framework for effective consultation, representation and partnership working including agreeing definitions, shared values, and joint and distinct undertakings.
  
• Set out the principles for developing working relationships between the Community and Voluntary Sector and the Statutory Sector.