After the meeting the minister said the department was working hard to ensure that in the future the grant funding process will run as smoothly as possible, overcoming previous difficulties. “This year, we are putting in place clear contingency plans and will communicate early and fully with our key partners if we foresee any potential problems,” Lewis said.

Etherington said he was delighted that the Department of Health had reiterated its support for the Compact. “This once again demonstrates how the Compact can make a significant difference when voluntary and community organisations use it,” he added. “I hope that our work with the Department of Health will be an incentive for voluntary and community organisations to use their Compact.”

In January the Department of Health, the NHS Confederation and Compact Voice will meet to discuss how the value of local Compacts can be promoted to Primary Care Trusts.