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What does the big society mean to you?. Move from I to weDifference between letting people take ownership rather than assuming ownership
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1. Big Society in Kent Feedback key points
24th January 2011
2. What does the big society mean to you? Move from I to we
Difference between letting people take ownership rather than assuming ownership being allowed to do things taking responsibility
Understanding each others needs
Local people need to be knowledgeable about what it going on
Need to know what / who the community is knowing how to get to people who dont speak up building trust and community spirit
People talkig to each other who do similar things
3. What does the big society mean to you? Work out what we mean by community or society
Opportunity in our area to network and bring different strengths together use for the benefit of the community
Can have too much association with cuts
If things go wrong it can it allow government to wash their hands of it?
4. What is happening in Kent already that contributes to the big society? Festivals big day out in Gravesham schools, youth clubs, activities organised by the council
Physical changes to the environment
Strong pockets e.g. the Gurdwara
Active networks of neighbourhood form e.g. active retirement clubs, credit unions, community support officers police offers who have previously volunteered
Kentcan providing support an umbrella organisation, supported by the Kent Partnership
5. What is happening in Kent already that contributes to the big society? Dartford street pastors rescuing young people after night clubs
Access group for disable people relevant planning applications to disabled people participation encouraged re access e.g. library
PACT meetings councillors and local people parking, local issues
Music groups making music social cohesion all different types of music intergenerational
Question of mapping local council should do this, debate about what is meant by local authority boundaries becomes complicated
For example Kent Matters Medway Matters
6. What is happening in Kent already that contributes to the big society? More power to influence information needs to be shared
Networking lunches last time 30 different agencies sharing information round the table like speed dating!
Dartford working lunch to circulate
Like the Big Lunch
7. What will need to be done to make the Big Society successful and meaningful? Need a localised framework prioritise what is needed
Need to define roles and responsibilities i.e. local councillors
What about transition periods to protect organisations during transition
Dont want to stifle creativity but to make sense of it safeguards from the the hard to avoid!
Resources / finance is needed
Advice and support to make financial bids work
8. What will need to be done to make the Big Society successful and meaningful? Discussion about role social responsibility of local businesses
Simpler procurement processes need the knowledge about finance
Local authority needs to be more aware of organisations support to create a level playing field
Review of how support is provided?
Induct local councils into Big Society what it really means when the dust settles
Need to balance bureaucracy with practical big society proper checks and balances
One person in communities who knows who is who, who lives where, who needs what volunteers to offer specific skills
Offer free skills of people seeking work through the job centre knowing services and networks
9. What needs to change to make this happen? Community leaders learn more about each other
Could large retailers make a contribution include as stakeholders
DCLG should talk to the Home Office about community resilience
Big stores use local businesses
Reduce red tape e.g. public liability
Change litigation culture
People take more responsibility for themselves
Role of local council and councillors accept they have a different role the nature of the role democratic accountability ? Arbiters vs. deliverers
10. What will you do next ? Share with each other on tables
Examples:
Raise awareness about BS, further the debate
Community arts to engage with hard to reach groups be an advocate
British Red Cross continue realignment talk to Kentcan about membership mapping
Support the development of community resource centre so all can use/share the facility
Education facilitation students having a voice about their community