Strategic Engagement Officer, Herts CVS
The government has published details of the proposed ‘Big Society’ initiative which seeks to “put more power and opportunity into people’s hands”.
‘Big Society’ will have a number of strands as follows:
Give communities more powers
Neighbourhoods will be empowered to shape the places in which they live, communities will be able to bid to take over local state-run services and community organisers and groups will be strengthened.
Encourage people to take an active role in their communities
Support will be provided for volunteering and measures will be put in place to encourage charitable giving. The flagship National Citizen Service project will provide 16 year olds with a 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”.
Transfer power from central to local government
This includes a review of local government finance. Regional Spatial Strategies will be abolished and councils will be given more decision-making powers.
Support co-ops, mutuals, charities and social enterprises
The government will support the creation and expansion of charities, social enterprises, mutuals and co-operatives. Public sector workers will have a new right to form employee-owned co-operatives and bid to take over services they deliver.
Money from dormant bank accounts will be used to establish a Big Society Bank which will provide funding for the Third Sector and other non-governmental bodies.
Publish government data
A ‘right to data’ will be created so that government datasets can be requested and used by the public. Police will also be obliged to publish detailed crime statistics every month.
For full details of the Big Society and other initiatives, please see the Cabinet Office website.
