A NEW agreement aimed at helping improve the quality of life for people in Wiltshire was officially launched in Devizes last Friday.

The Wiltshire Compact is designed to improve the way in which public bodies and voluntary and community sectors work together.

Members of local community groups and charities from across Wiltshire attended the launch at the Devizes Sports Centre alongside representatives from Wiltshire County Council, the four district councils and primary care trusts.

The Compact is a set of principles which partners to the agreement work within, including respecting the independence and diversity of the voluntary sector and agreeing to work together wherever possible to maximise resources. Codes of practice will be produced next year.