News - Working together to support local communities

A refreshed version of the Compact for West Cheshire has been launched, outlining how the community and public sectors can work collaboratively to benefit local communities.

The Compact has been refreshed by a small working group, which included representatives from Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, Cheshire West and Chester Council, Cheshire West Voluntary Action (CWVA), NHS organisations and a variety of community sector organisations.

The working group wanted a new version that would be easier for all organisations across sectors to understand and implement, creating a simplified, two-page document that focuses on eight key principles.

• Shared purpose – all organisations are working towards a stronger future where we all play our part in thriving, caring and sustainable communities
• Equal partners – we achieve so much more together and there is more that unites us than divides us, taking a collaborative approach across organisations is vital to making a difference
• Involvement of all – work with people, communities, organisations and those with lived experience at all stages when designing and developing services
• Partnership and collaboration in decision making – we will work together to think creatively, focusing on solutions rather than problems, we want our residents, communities and organisations to have the opportunities and resources to make a difference
• Keep it local – build strong local partnerships to maximise local strengths, support local suppliers and employment to retain wealth and jobs in West Cheshire
• Funding and commissioning – work together to support the commissioning of services to ensure that they involve and engage all communities that they affect. Ensure that the widest range of organisations can be involved in the provision of services
• Social value – focus on the common goal to have a positive impact on the community of West Cheshire through gaining additional value in how we deliver services
• Independence – collectively acknowledge the differences between the sectors that have agreed to this Compact and recognise that due to these differences, we as a collective are strengthened

Gary Cliffe, Chief Executive of Cheshire West Voluntary Action, said: “The Compact is fundamentally about relationships as, if we have strong and equal relationships across the community and public sectors, we can achieve positive outcomes for our communities.

“In recent years, our relationships with the Council, NHS and other public sector organisations have grown and the Compact can only support this.

“The Compact can help drive how our sectors work together, understanding the needs of our local communities, helping people access the right support at the right time and creating a lasting impact.

“We fully support the eight principles of the Compact and will be working with the wider community sector to understand and adopt the Compact.”

Councillor Louise Gittins, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, added: “Alongside our partners in the community and public sectors, the Council is delighted to have helped shape this refreshed Compact.

“We all wanted a Compact that everyone could relate to and we feel the new version will help us achieve that.

“We have a wonderful community sector locally, with thousands of dedicated charities, community groups and other charitable organisations that make a real difference every day.

“The Council is committed to signing the Compact and embedding this vision for how we can work collaboratively with the community sector.”

All organisations in the community and public sectors are encouraged to sign up to the refreshed Compact.

• Sign up to the Compact

CWVA has created an Implementation Plan for the Compact, outlining how it plans to adopt the eight principles.

• Download a copy of the Implementation Plan