Guidance on Resolving Disputes

The Local Compact
The Compact for Manchester has a Code of Practice on Funding. This can be presumed to cover Commissioning and Procurement, although there is no specific reference to these. Undertakings under the Compact are not currently legally enforceable.

If the Compact process fails to provide an acceptable resolution, then voluntary organisations may need to resort to remedies in public law.

Remedies in Public Law
The Public Law Project is a national project providing voluntary-sector organisations with training, information and advice (by telephone and email) on public law issues. There may be the facility to take on particular cases, pursuing these through complaints procedures, the Ombudsman scheme or court proceedings.

Public Law Project Telephone Help-line

(020) 7520 3161 Mondays - Fridays: 10am - 4pm
Advice is also available via email

For further information about the training programme, please contact: Terry Perkins, the Project’s Training Officer, at NAVCA (0114) 289 3972 or email or see the NAVCA website

Some training places may be available locally. To check, contact:

• Simon Johnson BOLD Project Advice Co-ordinator  0161 408 1397 or 07960 790946; or
• Alison Tansey MACC Business Improvement Co-ordinator  0161 834 9823