‘The government doesn’t have blueprints. What it’s not doing is spending a huge amount of time building strategic plans. It may be high risk, but that’s how they want to run it'
Steve Moore, Big Society network
Members of the community will have to pay to be part of the Big Society Network and receive support for their neighbourhood projects.
The network, launched by prime minister David Cameron at Downing Street earlier this month, aims to become the ‘largest mutual in the UK’ and will be a support mechanism for communities setting up new organisations, groups and initiatives with possible funding available.
However, there is no plan in place to encourage these initiatives to become sustainable social enterprises. Instead, the network will respond to community requests and may act if they see a trend. There is also no plan, as yet, to help those on low incomes access the support of the network.
The network’s director of engagement, Steve Moore, said: ‘People will have to pay to be a member of the network, but we don’t know how much yet. It may be possible to have something to help people on a low income.’
Moore said the network was currently putting together a business plan but had no set agenda on how it would evolve.
Between £250,000 and £1m is needed to initially fund the network, registered as a company limited by guarantee, which would come from private investment, foundation trusts and donations. The network is already in talks with ‘big business and big brands’ for support, but Moore would not name them.
There are also plans to form a co-operative and community benefit society (formally an industrial and provident society).
Moore told Social Enterprise that the network was similar to the government’s Big Society agenda in that it would respond to the community, not tell it what to do.
‘The government doesn’t have blueprints. What it’s not doing is spending a huge amount of time building strategic plans. It may be high risk, but that’s how they want to run it,’ he said.
‘I’m aware of the role social enterprises can play and if social enterprise is a common theme in the network then we will respond to that. If the communities want to form a neighbourhood group, then that’s fine too. We’re relaxed about it. I’m not going to say they have to be social enterprises. An enterprise does not have to wait for government.’
He added that a narrow definition of social enterprise ‘belongs in another age’.
One of the first ideas being developed by the network is a Big Society app for mobile phones, providing information and linking people. Other ways of using technology are also high on the agenda.
The network is planning a 12-stop tour of the UK from September to December. Phase one of the network, which will include member benefits, aims to launch in December.
The current issue of Social Enterprise takes a look at the community pub, as well as five years of CICs, lunch with a dragon and top business advice on how to plan for holidays, mergers and organising that unforgettable event.
Our September issue is out soon, so SUBSCRIBE HERE TODAY
Roots HR cic is a vibrant social enterprise providing human resources services to charities, voluntary and community sector organisations and of course other social enterprises. We are passionate about great people management and offer practical, cost-effective solutions tailored to your workforce, the culture and values of your organisation. Our services are designed to help organisations to comply with employment law and to perform through great people management.
Contact:
Jan Golding, Chief Executive
t: 0845 543 8429
e: info@rootshr.org.uk
w: www.rootshr.org.uk
Comments
Big Society Support
I've been involved with what I think "Big Society" is meant to be for 50 years; 40 in a professional capacity.
For the old stager like me, could someone cut through the spin and airy persiflage and - in simple terms - tell us what the "Big Idea" actually is?
As for another network providing guidance and support, is it REALLY needed?
There are excellent, free resources available already.
The difficulty so often is how to penetrate the minefield of multiple, duplicate 2nd/3rd tier agencies who, often funded by Central Government, offer overlapping and duplicate services.
On a more general point, where's the evidence that lots more NEW community groups are needed?
Brian Craven Business Advisor Social Enterprise Development St Helens Chamber T. 01744 742000 ext 2227 M. 07825 383613
Social App Store
Hi Gemma - I guess the Network might well think of developing a phone app further down the line, but for the moment we are working on the idea of a Social App Store. It was only mentioned briefly at the event, so understandable confusion. I've now blogged more about the idea, with a report on the meeting. Hope this helps, and thanks for your interest. Details here http://socialreporter.com/?p=1002. As you'll see it is all about promoting other people's good ideas and methods for social action, not necessarily tech.
Including social enterprise
When I read Steve Moore's blog on Unltd today, it was immediately apparent that what he was describing was something we've been engaged in on an international basis for the last decade.
It begs the question as to why social enterprise with relevant skills seem to be excluded:
http://www.amplified09.com/2010/07/steve-moore-the-ambitions-of-the-big-society-network-bsn/
In our work we've delivered detailed strategy plans for digital and economic inclusion, though when it comes to being able to relate progress, it's more likely to come from the US where Stanford recently invited me to contribute on the theme of leveraging liberation technologies.
https://www.stanford.edu/group/sdg/cgi-bin/dev/liber/?q=node/239
Surely this government realises that pushing others aside to realise Big Society, isn't in itself congruent with Big Society's stated ideology?
I'm now hearing 'People Powered Solutions' as if something radically different to 'People-Centered Economics'
Lets start with a little honesty, shall we?
Jeff Mowatt
People-Centered Economic Development
p-ced.com
people-centered.net
Living in the past
"There are also plans to form an industrial and provident society."
No such thing. The Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies and Credit Unions Bill received Royal Assent on 18 March. One of the key things the new Act did was to re-name existing legislation retrospectively, thus:
Industrial and Provident Societies Act 1965
became
Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies and Credit Unions Act 1965
Industrial and Provident Societies Act 1967
became
Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies and Credit Unions Act 1967
Friendly and Industrial and Provident Societies Act 1968
became
Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies and Credit Unions Act 1968
Etc.
So it is no longer be correct or meaningful to describe an organisation as an “Industrial and Provident Society” – it should be referred to either as a co-operative, or as a community benefit society, or as a credit union.
Charlie Cattell
SOCIAL ECONOMY CONSULTANT
WWW.CATWOOL.CO.UK
Robert, I like it
Giving knowledge away with the aim of developing wealth in disadvantaged communities is to me the essence of what social enterprise should have been about. it's a concept that's explained in our founding paper on inclusive capitalism, which seems to reached some unlikely converts. The aim of publishing on the web 14 years ago, to make available for social benefit.
We can prove originality because it's set permanently in web archives:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inclusive_capitalism#People-Centered_Economic_Development
I'm all for it if you're ready.
Jeff Mowatt
People-Centered Economic Development
p-ced.com
people-centered.net
Oh dear!
So 'Big Society' is about encouraging local people to take their first tentative steps towards true local ownership and responsibility for their communities. It's also about doing lots of simple things that together add up to a big difference.
But wait - here we have some new barriers. A national support network that offers answers - so folks will wait for 'guidance' and take it as gospel. Oh and a membership fee? That means buy before you try - another barrier. Finally - a national roadshow - drat the date clashes for many who might otherwise go.
Luckily there's also a phone app - OK as Jeff says for those with 3G coverage - useless for those community stalwarts who need to buy in - they've only just discovered text!
My alternative suggestion? Give away the knowledge for free - use existing advisers with good grassroots networks to spread the word and light a few 'fires' - some of them work for Business Link - and don't push formulaic, one size fits all solutions cos people will just ignore them.
I hate being cynical - but really!
Robert Ashton
www.robertashton.co.uk
I think we're ahead
Certainly in developing a local community network, and defining social enterprise for that matter.
When I hear "phone app" however, I'm inclined to think that that's the limit of imagination. Besides our community happens to be without mobile reception.
Now strategy plans are our territory. Maybe we could sell some of that back to them.
http://www.p-ced.com/parkend/index.php/social-enterprise/
Jeff Mowatt
People-Centered Economic Development
p-ced.com
people-centered.net