Mr. Michael Jabez FosterTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the outcome of the second annual meeting to review the compact on relations between the Government and the voluntary and community sector. [34086]
§ Angela EagleThe second annual meeting to review the compact took place on 29 October 2001. A report of the meeting has been placed in the Library.
I am pleased to say that both the sector and Government welcomed progress made on developing the compact. The focus of Government and sector activities since the launch of the national compact in November 1998 has been the development of the five underpinning codes of good practice on funding; consultation and policy appraisal; black and minority ethnic organisations, and volunteering and community groups.
The annual review meeting recognised and agreed that implementation of compact principles and the spreading of good practice must be the future focus of compact activities. Implementation will be about ensuring that there is a practical and positive impact on Government/ sector relations at all levels, particularly at local and community level. There is more to do and the sector and Government will need to continue to work in partnership to achieve our shared aims.