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Article on Big Society from Stephen Bubb
21 July 2010
BIG SOCIETY
David Cameron says his "great passion" is to build a big society. I share that passion. It is bold rhetoric; what is the reality?
Cameron correctly states "we shouldn't be naïve enough to think that if the government rolls back and does less, then miraculously society will spring up and do more". A Big Society will need to be actively fostered and properly financed by Government. Our communities will require not just civic action, but organised civic action - third sector organisations with the capital, expertise and capacity to manage volunteers, deliver more public services, and empower our communities. How will these organisations be supported to do this?
Of course, we would argue that much service delivery through charities and social enterprises is more cost effective as well as being closer to citizens and communities. But that requires a strong, well funded and organised non profit sector.
We should not fool ourselves that these things come cheap. Government sometimes thinks volunteering is a free good. It is not. It costs money to properly organise, support and develop volunteers. How is that cost to be met?
The context is not promising. Already many third sector organisations are being hit by public spending cuts at national and council level. Many will be thinking less about flourishing, and more on surviving and continuing to do the vital work they currently do for their beneficiaries.
The Prime Minister's announcement of a well-funded Big Society Bank is therefore extremely welcome. It is an important first step and needs swift action to make it happen quickly. Beyond that, the vision requires strong leadership, effective funding linked to outcomes and a mature partnership with Government. Not a Government or local Council that retrenches, forcing us to pick up the pieces.
The cuts loom over everything. David Cameron has described cutting the deficit as his duty and building a big society as his passion. The challenge for him will be to ensure that his colleagues in central and local government share that passion and don't carry out their duty in a way that stymies it.