The commission is an independent body non-departmental public body responsible for overseeing the Compact for the third sector and the public sector and its codes of good practice and ensuring an effective partnership.
It was established in April 2007 and is sponsored by the Office of the Third Sector (qv) in consultation with the voluntary and community sector. Its creation was the result of a consultation co-ordinated by the Home Office in 2005 as Strengthening Partnerships: Next Steps for the Compact. This highlighted a lack of awareness of the Compact and the barriers to its adoption and implementation. It is not a regulatory body and does not have any legal powers.
Its programme of work includes promoting awareness and implementation of the Compact, undertaking research and policy projects, developing an evidence base on the Compact's progress, sharing good practice and exploring key themes that affect the relationship between the statutory and voluntary sectors.
Chief executive: Richard Corden
Chair: Sir Bert Massie
Address: 77 Paradise Circus, Birmingham B1 2DT
Telephone: 0121 237 5900
Website: www.thecompact.org.uk