VONNE

Building Capacity for a Big Society

Between April and November 2011 VONNE delivered a project to support voluntary and community sector organisations in the region to work with statutory partners to deliver on the Big Society principles.

Download a summary of the impact of Big Society and Localism on the VCS in the North East (DOC)

What is Big Society?

The concept of the Big Society was launched by the Coalition government in 2010 as a response to the challenges faced by the country in delivering services in a time of austerity.  With the promise of opportunities and for a greater involvement from the voluntary and community sector, the concept has been widely debated by the sector. Key initiatives include the Community Organisers, National Citizen Service, Your Square Mile. Key opportunities lie in the Big Society bank, Community First Fund, and the chance for the voluntary and community sector to be engaged in public sector delivery.

 Big Society principles

Prime Minister David Cameron stated that "the people are the boss" and that the Big Society tools will create the power shift away from a big government. The four tools include:

• Competition
• Choice
• Payment by Results
• Transparency

Key actions for us all to take forward the Big Society as described by Minister for Decentralisation, Greg Clark include:

1. the right to know
2. the right to challenge
3. turning government on its head

Localism policy

The localism act was passed in parliament in November 2011 and provides the legislation behind the concept of Big Society and Decentralisation. Including four main areas of Communities, Local Government, Planning and Housing.

Big Society Initiatives

• Community Organisers - 5000 volunteers leading on local change/action.
• National Citizen Service - 8 week pilot programme for 16year olds for personal development & community cohesion.
• Taskforce (Cabinet Office and Department for Business, Innovation and Skills) to manage red tape and ensure appropriate regulation and monitoring for VCS organisations.
• Support to the North East via Ian Dodds Policy Manager, Local Intelligence Team Office for Civil Society.
• Big Society Bank - Reinvestment from dormant bank accounts. A wholesale lender for funding of social ventures. Delayed until 2012 due to European financial regulations.
• Community First Fund -. £80million targeted at deprived localities with £30m in grassroots start up funding and £50m in endowment match challenge. Managed by the Community Development Foundation.

The project in detail

During 2011 VONNE supported the sector to debate and consult on the localism agenda, through a range of tailored briefings and consultation events.

Events - Localism in Practice 2011 

Community Assets -  July at the Linskill Centre, North Shields Event Report

Volunteering in a Big Society - September at the Bowburn Centre, County Durham Event Report

Localism and Housing -  October, Gateshead  Event report

Engaging in Health - October, Tansy Centre, Sunderland

Big on Equality  - November, Newcastle

We also sponsored a range of local events in partnership with support organisations in Newcastle, North Tyneside, Redcar, Darlington, Spennymoor, Durham, and Gateshead.

Networking

The project also maintained the legacy from the Community Empowerment & Engagement programme run by NEEP and RIEP. It provided the opportunity for networks to come together to debate community policy

1. RIEP Community Empowerment & Engagement Partnership Champions
2. NEEP Strategic Group
3. North East Neighbourhoods Network
4. Community Development North East
5. North East Participatory Budgeting Network

Award

Following the success of Stockton Borough Council acheivement this year, the project will continue to promote empowerment and effective partnership working. The "most empowering authority" will be presented with the NEEP award 2012.