The government has encouraged local authorities across the UK to draw up Compacts between the public sector and voluntary and community groups. Local Compacts have been established in order to develop working relationships between the two sectors set in a framework of mutual understanding and respect.

Slough Borough Council is currently in the process of developing such a Compact with the assistance of the WestFocus Social Inclusion Network. Led by Thames Valley University, WestFocus is providing facilitators at development workshops where the basis of the Compact has been established. The next stage is developing the working protocols of the Compact such as finance, accommodation, communication and consultation.

Protocols are a set of agreed principles or codes of practice established in order to produce easily understood and followed working practices. This was achieved by the WestFocus Social Inclusion Network hosting, supporting and facilitating an all day Protocol workshop held on Friday 28 October 2005 at Thames Valley University's Slough Campus.

For further details, contact: Nick Slope 07968 127406 or nick.slope@tvu.ac.uk

For further information on Compacts see: www.thecompact.org.uk
www.lga.gov.uk/lga/blg/compact/Website_Local_Compacts.html