David Cameron announces ' Big Society' plans
David Cameron yesterday announced plans for the reform of public services as part of the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition 'Big Society' agenda. Speaking to both ministers and community leaders, the Prime Minister stated the new coalition wil assist social enterprises, co-operatives and charities to give them more involvement in the management of public services with the intent of rolling back big government, bureaucracy and Whitehall power.
The new Government also intends to establish a Big Society Bank, using funds from dormant bank accounts, to provide finance for social enterprises,charies, neighbourhood groups and other non-governmental organisations.
Other policies outlined at yesterdays meeting include:
- Giving communities greater influence in how local services, such as post offices and pubs, are run
- Creating a new generation of community organisers to support new neighbourhood groups
- Extending the power of local government, giving a 'general power of competence' to local councils and conducting a review of local government finance to help remove restrictions that limit their work
- Encouraging volunteering and involvement in social actions which will include the launch of a national 'Big Societ Day.
- Creating a National Citizens Service pilot scheme to encourage 16 year olds to develop the skills to be active in their communities
- Effecting a new 'right to data' making government-held data more accessible to the public
The Prime Minister also announced that Nat Wai, founder of Teach First, an initiative aimed at tackling issues of educational disadvantage in schools, and partner of the Shaftsbury Partnership, an organisation driving social reform, will work alongside new Minister for Civil Society Nick Hurd to deliver the Big Society programme.
Please visit the Cabinet Office website to read the Big Society programme outline in full.