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Compact Voice has today issued a letter to Eric Pickles, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.

The letter highlights the high levels of support for the Compact from both sectors, which was a key finding of Compact Voice’s recent annual survey.  However, the survey also revealed the need for more leadership at the top - as a result, sector leaders have written to Eric Pickles raising this issue.

It also raises serious concerns about the considerable difference between expectations announced earlier in the year by the Minister at the NCVO conference and the reality of what is occurring locally.

Research undertaken by Compact Voice recently revealed that in over half of local authorities, funding has been cut disproportionately when compared to reductions in council grant settlements.

At the NCVO conference in March 2011, the Minister outlined the reasonable expectations that voluntary and community sector organisations should have when working with local government. These expectations were then embedded into the draft ‘best value’ guidance subsequently published for consultation by the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG).

The letter calls on CLG to show leadership in its commitment to the Compact by ensuring it is central to the design and development of all relevant policies and that the final Best Value Guidance makes explicit, detailed and unambiguous commitment to the principles of the Compact.

Simon Blake OBE, Compact Voice Chair, said: “Compact Voice’s research has highlighted a worrying gap between the expectations described by the Secretary of State earlier this year and the reality of cuts on the ground.

With the vast majority of the local voluntary, community and statutory sectors supporting the principles of the Compact, we urge the Minister to display real leadership by consistently applying the principles in all CLG policy. He and his department must not ignore the clear message contained in this letter and supported by so many prominent sector leaders.”

Read the full letter to Minister Eric Pickles at www.compactvoice.org.uk/letter. 

The research data mentioned above can be accessed at www.compactvoice.org.uk/cutsdata and www.compactvoice.org.uk/survey2011.

For any further enquiries, please contact Kelly Ventress on kelly.ventress@compactvoice.org.uk or 020 7520 2486.