Note - Merton Compact also has a Compact Dispute Resolution Procedure

·The differences and diversity between the public sector and the voluntary sector should be respected and valued.

· In the development and delivery of services, the public sector and the voluntary and community sector have distinct but complementary roles.

· Each sector has its own set of responsibilities and constraints.

· The independence of the voluntary sector should be respected.

· To maximise the effectiveness of the voluntary sector, investment in its infrastructure is essential.

· The relationship between the sectors should be open and respectful and demonstrate trust.

· Each sector should strive for excellence and equality of access.

· When working together contributions from each sector should be given equal consideration and respect.

· Organisations in each sector have the right to contribute to and, if necessary, challenge matters that affect them

1. A strong, diverse and independent voluntary sector

2. An equal and fair society

3. Effective and transparent design and development of policies

4. Responsive and high-quality programmes and services

5. Clear arrangements for managing changes to programmes and services

1. Policy development and service planning (this includes planning local services, having a voice in local decision making and successful partnership working to promote effective, transparent design and development of policies, programmes and services)

2. Allocating Resources (this covers service delivery and commissioning, funding options, building relationships and partnerships to achieve good results for local people.  It also covers enabling greater access to assets and premises owned by statutory partners)

3. Advancing Equality and Building Communities (this includes building a fair and equal society with strong communities, opportunities for volunteering, and engagement, particularly with those communities which are in danger of being marginalised)

• Emphasises joint working between the voluntary sector and public bodies to deliver better services.

• Collaboration should be system-wide, focusing on shared problem-solving and leveraging resources.

• A consortium approach to commissioning and delivery strengthens partnerships and aligns services across sectors, particularly with health.

2. Shared Values and Principles:

• Shared principles like transparency, trust, and fairness underpin successful partnerships.

• Equity should be a core value, ensuring all stakeholders start on equal footing.

• Mutual understanding between sectors is essential for fostering collaboration.

3. Funding and Commissioning:

• Transparency in funding processes is critical to building trust.

• Fair access to funding and multi-year agreements provide stability.

• A consortium approach can streamline commissioning and ensure effective collaboration between different sectors, including health.

4. Equity and Inclusivity:

• Ensure underrepresented groups have a voice in decision-making.

• Eliminate discrimination and promote inclusion across all sectors.

• Equity should be embedded in service design and delivery to ensure diverse community needs are met.

5. Social Value and Impact:

• Focus on maximising social value through services.

• Embed social value into commissioning processes to ensure community benefits.

• Measure and demonstrate broader community impact to show the value of voluntary sector services.

6. Independence:

• Voluntary sector organisations must maintain their independence and autonomy.

• They should have the freedom to campaign and advocate on behalf of the communities they serve.

• Partnerships must respect the voluntary sector's right to act independently, even when receiving public funding.

7. Information Sharing and Communication:

• Open data sharing and communication are essential for effective collaboration.

• Shared data should inform decision-making and improve service delivery.

• Transparency in communication builds trust and strengthens partnerships.

8. Governance and Accountability:

• Governance structures are needed to monitor implementation and ensure accountability.

• Mechanisms for resolving disputes and addressing breaches should be in place.

• Regular review and oversight processes can help flag successes and identify areas for improvement.

9. Decommissioning and Service Changes:

• Manage service changes and decommissioning fairly, with adequate notice.

• Ensure service users are protected during transitions to minimise disruption.

• Clear processes should be in place to manage the impact of service changes.

10. Compact in Action:

• Focus on practical applications, using the compact in contracts and service design.

• Highlight success stories to demonstrate the effectiveness of principles in practice.

• A consortium approach can enhance joint delivery models, ensuring statutory and voluntary sectors are aligned in meeting community needs.