Partnership Peer Review Programme

In 2008, Compact Voice and Advocacy identified key themes affecting Compact implementation, one of which was the lack of mechanisms for ensuring local public bodies complied with and implemented the Compact. Although the primary aim of the Compact is to be a ‘carrot’ about the benefits of better partnership working, there is still sometimes a need for a ‘stick’ for those local authorities and other public bodies that remain unwilling to create and maintain equal partnerships with the voluntary sector.

The outcome of discussions on this theme was that the new local performance framework was identified as the most appropriate route by which to push for Compact compliance at a local level. Compact Voice has put significant resources into influencing the development of the Comprehensive Area Assessment and this has resulted in some important successes for the Compact and the voluntary sector.

One of the areas in which we are involved in affecting change is in the Partnership Peer Review Programme

Under the previous Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) regime, senior council officials often participated in a peer review programme of visiting other areas and helping them prepare for assessment by offering supportive critiques of their work. With the move to CAA, the IDeA is coordinating a new programme that includes representation from across the various partnership bodies. Compact Voice has worked closely with the IDeA to identify voluntary sector leaders from our networks who would be suitable to participate. These representatives will sit alongside Chief Executives and other senior staff from PCTs, fire and police services. The voluntary sector perspective they bring will be a key additional voice and this opportunity is an important one for the sector as the CAA process moves forward.

Simon Blake described how “extending the peer review scheme to include voluntary sector representatives is an exciting moment and a key milestone in the evolution of partnership working between the sectors. This is another step forward towards a more equal relationship between bodies that are all working towards similar aims"

Click here to read the press release from the event launch: Partnership Peer Review Programme (28KB)

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