26/03/2010 – Compact Voice allege breach of Compact by Westminster City Council
Compact Voice, the representative body for the voluntary sector on Compact said Westminster City Council’s decision to cut spending by 50 percent without consultations is a breach of the Compact. The group says that affected voluntary groups were not only not consulted but will also have a reduced role in future decision-making.
Voluntary Action Westminster reported the Conservative council to the NCVO's compact advocacy programme this month for reducing its 2010/11 budget by almost 50 per cent without adequate consultation or notice.
Councillor Ed Argar, Westminster's cabinet member for adult and community services, said that the council received 200 applications for voluntary sector funding - almost three times the available budget. He added that the council will conduct a review that will "address the operation of the Compact in light of the current tough economic climate".