About the COMPACT

What is the COMPACT?
The COMPACT is a country-wide initiative, to deliver mutual benefits from closer, more productive partnerships between community groups and charities and the statutory or public authorities.

How did the COMPACT come about?
The Government launched a national compact in 1998 and in 2004 required all public authorities to develop their own. In Gosport, the process has been very constructive. It has been developed using open meetings and working groups enabled the Gosport COMPACT to be launched.

How will success be judged?
Prevention of problems and measuring better understanding is always difficult to assess. Earlier consultation on important community decisions; improved understanding of – and access to funding; better application of combined experience and good practice will result in better value-for-money, better “job” satisfaction and so help grow community spirit.

Who’s paying for it?
Costs of setting up and administering the COMPACT are paid for by Gosport Borough Council and Hampshire County Council. Additionally, many individuals from voluntary groups are contributing time.

The Gosport Compact Partners Group.
This is made up of representatives from Gosport Community groups together with representatives from the public sector in Gosport working together to take the Compact forward. If you wish to speak to any member of the group see the contact details below.

Getting involved

Can my group get involved?
The Gosport COMPACT exists for groups that provide a community benefit and that want to ensure that the contribution of their volunteers is fully appreciated by the public authorities and other groups. Your group doesn’t have to be a registered charity to benefit from, or to contribute to, the COMPACT.

Can my group raise issues via the COMPACT?
If issues arise, for your group, that indicate a misunderstanding of one another’s perspectives then the matter can be raised initially through the joint chairs. Additionally there is a Hampshire COMPACT challenge group and if necessary a national COMPACT Advocacy Group.

What groups are already involved?
On one side, all the key public authorities have signed up at either Gosport or Hampshire level. On the other side more than 50 voluntary organisations were actively involved in the development of the COMPACT in Gosport Borough and many more were consulted as part of the process.

Codes of Good Practice
Three local Codes of Good Practice are being developed to support the work of organisations in Gosport, focusing on:

• Funding
• Consultation
• Volunteering

To find out more contact: