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Understanding Big Society and Localism

Stephen Woollett

Chief Executive, South West Forum

stevew@southwestforum.org.uk

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PM says....

“The role of [the voluntary] sector has never been more important. Building the Big Society and getting citizens more engaged, involved and responsible for the communities around them will only be possible in partnership with the sector; improving and delivering better more responsive public services can only be done with the help of the sector; and empowering communities can only work where the skills, enthusiasm and commitment of the sector is harnessed.”

Foreword to The Compact

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3 key strands

Promoting Social Action Opening up Public Services Empowering Communities

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Big Society Big Concerns

Coincides with big cuts High quality accessible support needed more than

ever but resources reducing Fuelling NIMBYISM and risk of increasing

marginalisation Cost shunting down to most local level where

limited capacity Contracts becoming bigger so more difficult

for small/medium organisations

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Easy for him to say…

'When it comes to looking at and trimming your budgets, don't do the easy thing, which is to cut money to the voluntary bodies and organisations working in our communities. Look at your core costs. Look at how you can do more for less. Look at the value for money you get from working with the voluntary sector.” David Cameron

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Out Now....

New Compact Community First Grants Community organisers (Locality) Transition Fund (Big Lottery Fund) Community planning support (Locality) Best Value Guidance (Draft) Big Society Bank Social enterprise spin outs Local Enterprise Partnerships

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Coming soon....outcomes from

National Charity/SE survey report Red Tape Task Force Giving Green Paper Modernising Commissioning Green Paper Infrastructure programme New Partnership Improvement Programme

..............and

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Localism Bill

Power of competenceCommunity assets -rights to bid/buyRights to challenge over servicesCommunity budgetsN’hood development ordersNeighbourhood Forums

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What volunteering do you do?

Eddie Mair putting Francis Maude on the spot: "what volunteering do you do?''