Double triumph for compact initiative

A programme which was set up to sort out cases in which the
government had breached its funding agreement with the voluntary
sector has achieved its first two successes.

The National Council for Voluntary Organisations’ compact advisory
programme helped to resolve issues that would have caused losses
for two organisations.

Community Transport was left with a £40,000 funding shortfall
after Centro, a body that distributed money for the Department of
Transport, breached the compact’s funding code’s requirement that
regular payments for grant-financed work should be made in
advance.

Meanwhile, the Tree Council, which found out in February that it
would not be able to reapply for £67,000 because of a decision
at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, has now
secured funding to at least 2004.

The Tree Council has had its core costs met by the government for
29 years.