Kingston Council has approved a new compact with the NHS and the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector, aiming to strengthen partnerships and tackle inequality across the borough.

The Kingston Compact 2025-2028, was approved at a meeting of the Kingston Partnership Board on Thursday 25 September 2025. The compact outlines how the council, NHS, and VCSE sector will collaborate to support community outcomes, with each sector taking on specific roles and responsibilities. These include joint commitments to emphasize the VCSE sector's contributions and public sector commitments to champion the VCSE sector, while the VCSE sector commits to actively participating in forums.

The compact envisions a borough where everyone can thrive in a fair, inclusive, and supportive community to improve the lives of all, particularly the most vulnerable. It sets out four key outcomes:

  • Recognition and respect for the VCSE sector
  • Effective partnership working across sectors
  • Participation, representation and engagement with the people and communities of Kingston
  • Sustainability and funding for activities and services that address and prioritise need, support communities and reduce inequities

To achieve these outcomes, the Kingston Compact July 2025 outlines several commitments from the joint sectors, public sector, and VCSE sector. These include:

  • Joint emphasis and celebration of the VCSE sector's contributions.
  • Joint encouragement of new ideas and piloting of evidence-based solutions.
  • Joint efforts to understand constraints faced by both sectors.
  • Joint celebration of the role of volunteers.
  • Public sector commitment to champion the VCSE sector and provide engagement opportunities.
  • VCSE sector commitment to actively participate in forums and represent diverse views.

The document states that the compact is owned by the VCSE, Health, and Kingston Council, and that it is born out of the Empowering People, Strengthening Communities strategy, which feeds back to the Kingston Partnership Board.

The success of the Kingston Compact 2025-2028 will be measured by:

  • Strengthened relationships between public bodies and the VCSE sector.
  • Transparency and openness in ways of working.
  • Achievement of shared goals as set out in various strategies.
  • Efficient and effective use of limited resources.
  • Increased sustainability of the VCSE sector.
  • A mutual shift in approach towards prevention and early intervention.
  • Reduced inequity and unfairness.

Mechanisms to ensure accountability and transparency in the implementation of the compact include:

  • Direct Discussion: Resolving issues directly with the relevant party.
  • Compact Champions Review: Senior staff from partner organizations review concerns and suggest actions.
  • Referral to Authorized Individual: Systemic issues are referred to senior managers for final decision-making.
  • Learning: Compact Champions provide an annual update to The Kingston Partnership Board on how the Compact has been used, with communications shared via VCSE and public sector channels.

The Agenda frontsheet Thursday 25-Sep-2025 14.00 Kingston Partnership Board for the meeting also included a period for public questions, allowing residents and organisations to raise matters relevant to the committee.