Council and democracy

Shaping Our Future together Conference - 7 April 2008

Over 100 participants attended a National Conference on Monday at the Fielder Centre, Hatfield to find out more about how local councils, local strategic partnerships and others can better understand and support the role that the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS)can play in building strong and vibrant local communities. The Conference which was sponsored by Hertfordshire Forward LSP was attended by delegates from across the country and from as far a field as Cumbria, Bury and Newcastle.

Participants heard from a range of speakers about how Local Compact agreements that highlight how government and VCS organisations should work together could be influential in boosting the involvement and engagement of groups and communities in shaping local services; how compacts fit with the performance framework for Local Area Agreements, Local Strategic Partnerships and Comprehensive Area Assessments and how participatory budgets and compacts can work hand in hand.

Key Conference Partners included:

• Local Compact Voice
• Commission for the the Compact
• National Association for Voluntary and Community Action
• Local Government Association
• Government Office for the East of England