Fishburn Hedges

13.05.2011

Communities may be ready and willing to take more responsibility locally, but will perhaps need help from the private sector to get organised, was one conclusion from our recent Front Room looking at understanding of and attitudes to the Big Society.

The research group dwelled for some time on some of the issues that the Big Society faces in getting widespread acceptance, which will surely need to start with a better understanding of what it is and the role it plays. 

Many people believed that it was, in effect, intended to outsource many public services.  The most cynical believed it was no more than a “euphemism for shutting down” public services and passing the buck to local councils. 

Others, who tended to be a little older, could see a more positive intent, that it was intended as a “return to personal responsibility” or an attempt to restore “the opposite of dependency culture”. 

While, perhaps, a good antidote to the "lack of individual responsibility" as "we shouldn't be looking to the state", the caps in public spending have evidently not made its introduction easy.  One reluctant supporter saw it as “a good idea, but sullied in the context of the funding cuts”. 

Increased local responsibility for behaviour change did not get wholehearted support either.  While some could see a place for local incentives, the prospect of penalties for so-called bad behaviour seemed a step too far.

Some saw very practical barriers to it getting off the ground, such as where the funding would come from. 

Other barriers included finding the time to get involved locally ("most people are working flat out and those with jobs don't have the resources") and the difficulties in finding local outlets to volunteer without some sort of central database.

The role of the private sector in delivering the Big Society was not immediately clear to most people. 

When pressed, some thought it could have a role in funding, providing funding commitments were sufficiently long-term for those involved to concentrate on delivering their project rather than living hand to mouth. 

One reaction to the suggestion that the private sector might have a role was that "it's not private companies' job to get involved in the community".  Others were extremely cynical about the motives of those that do.

Just one participant, reflecting on these issues and barriers, concluded that "local companies could get the ball rolling with their organisational skills".

 

For more on the Big Society, read the summary of our latest event: What's Next... for the Big Society and business: ignore, acknowledge or engage?

Visit our Big Society microsite for more discussion