Discussions taking place at the Big Society Symposium

A number of representatives from organisations across Birmingham and the West Midlands gathered for discussions about the Big Society and what it means to the cmmunities around us in the future. A series of speakers presented their thoughts to the deegates, around the theme of Social Enterprise and the Big Society, before rotating discussions groups formed talk about the issues facing us.

Sarah Crawley, CEO of iSE, began the day by stating the need for clarity in Social Enterprise and how it can work in conjunction with the Big Society agenda, while posing two questions: how can social enterprise contribute to that agenda, and what is the potential for growth in that area?

Councillor Len Clark made a short address to introduce the presentations, stating that the biggest challenge will be that of change. His key points included the following:

• The need to change how we interact with the community. It’s unlikely, however, to be radically different from what has gone before – already happening, just giving it a new name
• The fear that services delivered particularly to elderly and frail people would be dominated by private sector – the need for the voluntary sector to step in here is clear but also a challenge. Also requires improvement in the market
• No one is closer to the communities than the (SE) organisations here
• Big Society agenda will mean the need to cut back office cuts and focus on meeting needs at the front-line – services affecting children, parents, families, community and the organisations within those communities. There are niche services to be developed in this market
• Prospect of alliance of organisations in Birmingham to cover a wider spectrum of services – a federation of partners. This may be a key facet of the path forward
• Birmingham needs a clear menu of services to allow third sector organisations to find partnerships

This was followed by Dr Dick Atkinson, Chief Executive of Balsall Heath Forum, who raised the idea of social renewal as being the same principle as the Big Society. Drawing parallels between local community and the environment, he talked of the need to “mend the hole in the social O Zone layer” as well as raising the following points:

• Enlightenment – science has brought about huge developments, but has also perhaps intruded on the values which hold the village/community together
• Embodiment of Big Society – strong looking after the weak, young looking after the old
• Perhaps we don’t have that balance of subjectivity and values in the West (look at Chile as example of sticking together)
• Balsall Heath residents removed the need for a Vice Squad by working with the police themselves – it was disbanded, saving £350K
• The state has provided the services we need for years – as an unintended consequence we’ve become dependent on these and demand more
• Being able to scale back and also help ourselves in order to bring about better and more valuable communities
• We need to ‘fish for ourselves’

Next up was Sally Reynolds, from Social Homes UK, who gave a very personal and impassioned account of her view of the Big Society agenda.

• Big Society is a culture of volunteerism
• Not a new concept but there is no masterplan
• Already millions of pounds cut from organisations who exist to encourage volunteerism – is this hypocritical? Croydon Council cut £60m of funding to voluntary organisations. How do you do more with no money?
• Suddenly the onus is on local authorities – if people should be doing more for themselves there needs to be less bureaucracy
• The need for entrepreneurial thinking in the public sector, voluntary sector and third sector. The period of re-positioning will hopefully bring about more creativity
• Social enterprises and related organisations are accustomed to working without resources but the Spending Review cuts will hit the voluntary sector hard

Gerry Higgins, of CEiS, offered a view which seemed more optimistic, covering numerous ideas including the role that communities might play in controlling energy sources via asset transfer:

• Is Big Society a concept or a strategy? How does it sit with the reduction of resources?
• There is a need for intermediaries as well as the front-line services, so it’s important not to neglect organisations which fulfil criteria – guide, connect people, avoid mistakes, co-ordination, but removing duplication and waste
• There is also a need to square the rhetoric of increasing volunteerism and active citizenship during an era of public spending cuts
• Many social enterprises may not be able to survive this, but there are opportunities – partnership initiatives play an important role
• Asset transfer is also important in empowering communities and giving them more control over the areas in which they live
• Social enterprises in relation to renewable energy can play a part too – the model for this exists in Europe, where the community has direct control of the resource
• Some private sector companies are wanting to convert at least part of their businesses into social enterprises, which is just one sign of the growth within the sector
• Opportunities for forging links with co-operatives and other businesses; social enterprises should not be afraif of partnering with the private sector
• Day-to-day things you do can have a real impact in the next 5-10 years time, so it’s an opportunity

The final presentation was delivered by Jas Bains, of Ashram Housing Association:

• Due to protected sectors, there are going to be some casualties somewhereSta
• State is perhaps going to be more of a guarantor than deliverer of services
• Shift taking place (blending), with a fusion of ethical and financial interests
• A big issue facing us for the future is ensuring the sustainability of ventures which fulfil the Big Society agenda
• Civic leaders need to have a responsible view in helping and leading the way for community-focused projects to survive and thrive
• Organisations need to look at how their services can help to increase social mobility, particularly among the most disadvantaged families. We’re resourceful, with initiative and leadership, which is a positive thing

The delegates then split into discussion groups to consider ways forward and possible approaches for an uncertain future. Some of the key points raised during these discussions are below:

• Thinking nationally and internationally, not just locally
• Vital optimism – you can do anything and the best is yet to come
• Communities helping themselves and helping others
• The importance of a knowledge process to ensure everyone learns from each other
• Integration not separation – need to build networks and consortia to make the Big Society agenda a reality

You can read coverage of the whole event via Twitter by following the #isebigsociety hashtag.