Big Society in Kent

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 don’t 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 • Don’t 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