The hearing involves Cumbria County Council and a service user of Age Concern South Lakeland's daycare services (Third Sector, 12 September). It is scheduled for 6 November and is likely to last two days.
The service user is challenging Cumbria's decision to introduce means-testing for people who use daycare services, which she claims is unlawful. She will argue that the council flouted Compact guidelines by not consulting voluntary sector organisations properly. If the judge rules in her favour and mentions the Compact as a factor in his decision, it could set a legal precedent.
Louise Whitfield, project solicitor at legal charity the Public Law Project, which is supporting the woman, said: "The Compact is a live issue on the basis that there was a failure to consult properly."
