The North Hertfordshire COMPACT
Glossary
Advocacy
Speaking or acting in support of, or on behalf of, other person(s) in accordance with their wishes
Best Value
Provision of services which are needed and wanted by the local community at the best possible price and quality. Central to this is an explicit commitment to the continuous improvement of services
Community Organisations/Groups
Informal local community and self-help groups which are often made up entirely of volunteers. They are independent, often without regular income or funding.
Community Strategy
An action plan supported by the LSP to improve the social, economic and environmental wellbeing of North Hertfordshire district.
Compact Codes of Practice
Written guidelines on good working practices
C.V.S. (Council for Voluntary Service)
A local voluntary organisation which supports, promotes and develops voluntary and community action in the area.
Charity Commission
The Charity Commission for England & Wales is the statutory organisation which regulates charities. Its aim is "to give the public confidence in the integrity of charity".
Consultation
The process of seeking and listening to views on a particular subject.
Equal Opportunities
Provision of services which, as far as possible, are free from racism, sexism, disability, age, class discrimination and prejudice. Equal opportunities recognise that valuing people and their differences enables all to be involved to their full potential.
Inclusion (Social)
The open encouragement of, and assistance in, the involvement of everyone.
L.S.P. Local Strategic Partnership
Non-statutory, non-executive body, working together to improve the quality of life of people living in North Hertfordshire.
P.C.T. North Hertfordshire & Stevenage Primary Care Trust
A National Health local organisation committed to providing high quality community and primary care, and to improving the health of all residents. P.C.T.'s involve local GPs, other health and social care professionals and patients, coming together to plan and deliver services for meeting local needs.
Performance Indicators
Systems of measurement which allow for evaluation and comparison, to see how well an activity is performing.
Statutory Sector
Organisations created through Acts of Parliament whose functions are determined by law. Local Authorities, including county, district, borough, parish and town councils, are democratically elected and accountable to the voters and central government. They have legal responsibilities for the social wellbeing, economic development, environment and health of the people they serve. Other Statutory Agencies, such as Health Authorities and the Probation, Police, Fire & Rescue and Ambulance services, are not directly elected and are accountable to the appropriate Secretary of State.
Voluntary and Community Sector
All independent, not-for-profit organisations which operate of their own free will to respond to issues regarding the quality of life of themselves or fellow citizens. They may be formally structured (managed by a voluntary committee) or an informal group, and may have paid employees and/or volunteers working for them.
Voluntary Organisations
These are formally structured, independent, not-for-profit organisations managed by unpaid voluntary management committees or boards of trustees. They may have paid employees and volunteers and may be registered and/or companies limited by guarantee.