The Big Society

The Big Society was launched by Prime Minister David Cameron on the 19th July 2010 and aims to give communities more power and responsibility. In removing central decision making, the government have said their job now is to ensure that individuals and community groups have the freedom and tools to enable them to get involved in civic and social action. Policies announced include:-

• Giving communities a greater say over their local planning system and saving local services, such as post offices and pubs.
• Community Right to Build will allow communities to get together and take forward developments for new homes, shops and facilities in their area. The details are being developed, but you can have your say by contacting righttobuild@communities.gsi.gov.uk. For details of the plans, vist www.communities.gov.uk/righttobuild.
• Piloting a new National Citizen Service which will give 16 year olds the chance to develop the skills needed to be active and responsible citizens, mix with people from different backgrounds, and start getting involved in their communities.
• Extending powers for local government by giving a general power of competence to local councils, enabling them to act as they see fit in the best interests of their communities, as well as conducting a comprehensive review of local government finance in order to help remove restrictions that limit the work of local councils.
• Supporting mutuals, co-operatives, charities and social enterprises, giving them greater involvement in the running of public services.
• Funds from dormant bank accounts will be used to establish a Big Society Bank, providing new funds for neighbourhood groups, charities, social enterprises and other non-governmental bodies.

MP Chris White's Public Services (Social Enterprise & Social Value) Bill 2010-11 is currently going through the House of Commons. The Bill would require the Secretary of State and local authorities to publish strategies in connection with promoting social enterprise; to enable communities to participate in the formulation and implementation of those strategies; to require that public sector contracts include provisions relating to social outcomes and social value; and for connected purposes. This Bill would link in with the Big Society agenda by allowing people to be more actively involved in the wider society.