Cheshire East Congress

The Third Sector, working together, in Cheshire East

The aims of the Congress are to:

• To improve communication within the sector and between sectors
• To enable the views of the Third Sector to be represented to others
• To enhance and improve the communities of Cheshire East
• To promote the sector as a service deliverer as well as a strategic partner
• To ensure that the voice of the sector and its needs are recognised by other sectors
• To achieve a COMPACT way of working in partnerhsip, in order to encourage thriving engagement between sectors

Who can be part of the Congress?  Representives from any Voluntary and Community Sector Group/Organisation who support, through their activities, local communities throughout East Cheshire.

Please contact Jeannie Gardiner if you would like further information regarding the Congress on 01270 763100 or email jeannie.gardiner@cdva.org.uk

Congleton District Voluntary and Community Sector Network

An introduction to Compact

In 1997 the Government started a process of negotiating ‘Compacts' between Central Government and the Voluntary and Community Sectors in England, Scotland and Wales.  National Compacts were launched in 1998 with government commitment to encourage similar undertakings at a local level.

 The objectives of the local Compact are:

• Establish a good practice guide.
• Continually improve partnership working on a formal basis
• Improve working relationships between sectors
• Promoting mutual understanding of each other's aims across the sectors
• Developing codes of practice on funding, consultation, volunteering, training, premises, transport and others to be identified
• Work together to maximise external funding for community development

The local Voluntary and Community Sector Network continues to meeting on a bi-monthly basis to move the Compact agenda forward. 

Cheshire East Council are working towards developing a Compact Agreement for the new local authority area. 

For more information on our local Compact and the Voluntary and Community Sector Network, contact Jeannie Gardiner, Congleton District Voluntary action on Tel: 01270 763100 or email her at jeannie.gardiner@cdva.org.uk

Useful Links:  

For information about the national Compact between Government and the VCS:

• National Council for Voluntary Organisations
• Active Community Unit, Home Office
• National Compact