New Compact launched for West Cheshire

Cheshire West and Chester Council has joined forces with the community sector to launch a new Compact to foster closer partnership working in the borough.

The Compact for west Cheshire is an agreement which will support the public and community sectors in working more closely for the benefit of local communities.

This agreement is designed to:

• build on relationships between all organisations within the public and community sectors for  the benefit of residents
• lead to improved partnership working
• create sustainable, quality services for all communities
• recognise the importance of community sector organisations in terms of service provision, value to the economy, positive impact on wellbeing and quality of life, and promotion of volunteering and citizenship.

The Compact, which will be launched at an online event on 3 November, sets out key principles by which organisations from across the community sector and public bodies will work together.

Organisations already signed up for the Compact include Cheshire West and Chester Council, Cheshire West Integrated Care Partnership, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, Cheshire Constabulary, Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office, Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership, Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group and the Department for Work and Pensions.

The community sector includes local voluntary, community and faith organisations, charities, social enterprises, housing associations, co-operatives and mutuals, whose profits are re-invested into their services or beneficiaries.

Councillor Val Armstrong, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health, said: “The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted just what a difference it makes when communities work together.

“We would like to invite organisations from across the community sector to sign up to the new Compact. It’s there to support partnership working, which is for the benefit of all of our communities, including the most vulnerable, elderly and disadvantaged residents.”

Gary Cliffe, Interim Chief Executive of Cheshire West Voluntary Action, said: "The community sector has shown how invaluable it is during the COVID-19 pandemic, adapting to make sure people and communities continued receiving the support they needed.

"Our relationship with the public sector has gone from strength to strength and I'm sure the Compact will help us continue to develop the way we work together.

"The Compact is very important because it clearly sets out ways we can support each other and grow these partnerships.

"As we continue to navigate our way out of the pandemic, our communities are going to need our support and we need to use the skills, knowledge and experience of all sectors for their benefit.

"I'd encourage any community organisations to sign up to the Compact as we all need to make this commitment."

Anyone interested in attending the online launch or signing up for the Compact can do so using the links below:

• Take part in the launch of the Compact
• Sign up for the Compact