A lot has been written about David Cameron's Big Society in recent months. Buckinghamshire County Council has been discussing how it will work in the County. They have issued the following information about how it can be implemented.
A RANGE of recommendations highlighting the role elected councillors and their councils can play in supporting the development of the Big Society in Buckinghamshire, have been approved today (Tuesday 28 June) by the County Council’s Scrutiny Committee.
The recommendations were made following a Joint County and District review of what the Big Society should mean for Buckinghamshire's residents and how councils and partner organisations can help to support and work with the voluntary and community sector. The review group comprised of representatives from all Buckinghamshire District Councils and the County Council, and was led by Wycombe District Council. The review also looked at how individuals can support themselves.
The review group concluded that the Big Society is not a replacement or substitute for high quality services but rather it is a different way of ensuring that communities have access to the services and opportunities that they need.
Some of the key recommendations from the report are that Bucks Councils should:
- look for innovative ways to maximise the impact of funding to support communities (Rec 4)
- promote the take up of volunteering and to encourage their own employees to do this via Employer Supported Volunteering Schemes (Rec 5)
- support the development of online toolkits and guidelines to help community groups to set up and deliver services (Rec 6)
- ensure that new build developments include provision of community facilities (Rec 8)
Cllr Ian McEnnis, Chairman of the County and District Joint Scrutiny Review, said: "This was an in-depth review which drew on a wide range of evidence gathered over six months. The review report has highlighted a huge number of important issues. We have made some practical recommendations on steps that councils and councillors can take to help communities to come together to run their own services. I hope that Cabinet members in all Councils will take this report seriously and implement our recommendations."
Lesley Clarke, Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Commissioning Committee said: "This review has presented us with a real insight into what action is needed to help develop the Big Society in Bucks. I want to thank everyone involved in preparing this detailed piece of work, particularly Community Impact Bucks whose staff participated in the review group."
The report will now be considered by BCC's Cabinet Members on Monday 18 July.