The Scottish Compact represents a new beginning in the voluntary sector's relationship with central Government.

Over the last two decades the voluntary sector and central Government have found their respective interests impinging more and more on each other. While the will to work out an effective working relationship existed on both sides in Scotland, a mutual lack of familiarity and in some instances of trust, made agreement difficult. Consequently, both sides found it easier to collaborate in developing 'good practice' guidance on specific areas such as funding or consultation than to agree the underlying principles of the relationship.

The election in May 1997 of a Government with a Manifesto commitment to seek a Compact with the voluntary sector provided a new opportunity which the Scottish voluntary sector was quick to seize. Acting from the start in a spirit of partnership, The Scottish Office and the voluntary sector delegated the task of drafting an agreement to a joint working group. Twelve months of discussion, consultation, drafting and redrafting, have produced a Compact, which I believe is built on sound and robust principles.

The Compact acknowledges that Government and the voluntary sector each has its distinct sphere of action; it recognises that partnership, however beneficial in many circumstances, is not the inevitable state of Government/voluntary sector relations; it acknowledges the sector's role as critic and policy advocate; and it asserts the Government's accountability through Parliament for the public funds made available to the sector as well as the legal framework within which the sector operates.

Of course the written Compact is only the beginning. The principles now need to be applied, by the voluntary sector no less than the Government and public bodies. Our common reward will be a strengthened dialogue between a more confident and articulate voluntary sector and a better informed and more responsive Government.