What is the Compact?
An agreement between the government, business and the voluntary and community
sector (VCS) which outlines the way of working that is mutually beneficial
The Merton Compact
Launched in 2004
Initially with PCT, Council and VCS
Grown to include Police, Fire Service, local colleges, and National Health Service
Nationally recognised as one of the consistently best performing Compacts in the country
National Recognition
2010 Winner of the Compact of the Year Award
2009 Excellence Award
Highly Commended in the London Regional Compact Awards
2008 Winner of the London Regional Award
2007 Gold commendation
2006 Winner of the Gold commendation
Winner of the Municipal Journal Working
2005 Winner of the Gold Commendation
Third Sector empowered to improve funding processes
Third sector consulted about funding processes for 2009
Resulted in: New standardised grant application forms
New assessment and grant allocation processes
“Lessons Learned” events becoming a regular feature of annual review processes
Adopting the Third Sector Strategy
Third Sector strategy developed in partnership between the council and VCS
Strategy developed over 40 actions, including: Establishing a Third Sector coordinator post Standardising application forms and monitoring Better communication with the VCS
Volunteer Recruitment
Volunteer Centre Merton worked with partners to encourage more volunteering
Resulted in Regular volunteering awards events Regular features in “My Merton”, the council
magazine Registered volunteers doubling to 380 between
April and June 2011
INVOLVE Network
Merton’s Community Engagement Network
Integral part of service delivery in Merton
Strong voice for the VCS
Involvement in the 2009-19 Community Plan
The VCS and Partnership working together
£1.7m in Performance Reward Grant made available to all partners and VCS
Process ensured ‘partnership working’ was a key element of all bids for funding
New VCS organisations introduced to the partnership and applied for funding
London Councils Grant Scheme
Changes to the London Councils Grant Scheme were assessed alongside VCS
Short-term funding was provided to nine services, allowing six service providers to seek alternative funding going forward
Allowed existing services to remain and afforded more time to organisations
Adult Services Task Group
Comprises Cabinet Member, senior officers, six elected representatives and MVSC
Group confidentially discusses all issues relating to Adult Social Care Services
Successful and influential in steering programmes and themes