Third sector code gets poor reception

Regeneration and Renewal

20 June 2008

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Only a quarter of councillors and council staff believe the Compact that oversees relations between government and the voluntary sector has made a "big difference" to the way the public bodies work with charities.

Research published last week by third sector think-tank NFP Synergy reveals that just 24 per cent of local authority staff and 25 per cent of councillors feel the Compact has helped the relationship between the public and voluntary sector.

And, more than half of respondents to the survey either said they either did not know what impact the Compact has had, or did not think it has made any difference.

NFP Synergy researcher Lindsay Sutherland said: "Our research shows that the majority of local authorities believe charities can deliver public services. But the public sector's doubt in the Compact is telling. I think this is because the Compact is not legally binding."

Responding to the findings, the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations said it was "unsurprised by the results".

Chief executive Stephen Bubb said: "We have written to the Government calling for the Compact Commissioner to be given statutory powers, and this study completely vindicates the need for statutory backing for the Compact."

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