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Big Society - is anyone listening anymore?
Big Society trouble-shooter and advisor Robert Ashton is worried that the public are losing faith in the Big Society idea in the wake of the Prime Minister’s fourth attempt to launch the project this week.
“Even the press are losing interest now and unless we start delivering some robust Big Society success stories the whole thing’s going to fall over,” he said.
David Cameron rolled out Big Society Mark IV this week and published a white paper outlining the use of cash machines to solicit donations amongst other ideas.
“The credibility of the whole Big Society project, if you have to call it that, hangs on Cameron not trying to sell it or repackage it anymore, but just ensuring that it is explained with simplicity to all stakeholders – especially those now very confused people trying to make a difference at grassroots level,” said Mr Ashton, who had advised Lord Wei (just before he stepped down as Big Society guru) that the time had come for action.
“The time has come to listen and do, rather than talk and tell. The underlying philosophy is sound; to transfer control of local community resources to the communities they serve. The reality right now though is that the Government intent and Government funding is getting lost in the middle as Local Authorities struggle to adapt,” he said.
Mr Ashton went on to outline his radical plan for the relationship between local government and Big Society funding.
“Paradoxically, I think we need to blend centralism with localism in a way that reduces the load on Local Government. Schools are a great example, with Academies funded direct from Whitehall, rather than through local Councils. Benefits to older people and health funding already go direct from Government agency to individuals and soon, their GP.
“This same approach needs to be introduced to adult social care, with funding going straight from the centre to the individual and perhaps their carer or advocate. Local Councils can then focus on what they do best, collecting local taxes and investing them in local projects and services. It would be silly to give householders a budget for refuse collection, as you need economy of scale to make the service affordable and efficient. However it’s very different when it comes to adult social care. People are all different and whilst everybody needs to have their bin emptied and street lit, not everyone wants or even needs the same support and care.
“Local councils don't like this erosion of fiscal control one little bit, and so are not cooperating with the process. But if they are to be truly democratic, their elected members have to recognise what’s needed and do what’s right, not simply try to preserve their organisation in its current form.
“The big losers in all this are charities, who are having the budgets for their handouts by Local bodies cut so the money can keep paying for outdated administrative functions and salaries for superfluous Commissioners who have far less left to commission.
"No one ever said this process would be easy or painless, but it’s a gritty reality. Charities particularly need to think about standing on their own two feet and operating as social enterprises. A large number of charities unprepared to follow this process will fall by the wayside. There will be blood on the streets.”
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