Huge thanks to everyone who came together at the first seminar to discuss the implications of 'Local Society'. We have much to take back to our respective colleagues to develop next steps.
Following on from our initial reflections below, the full report of the day's discussions is now available to download: Local Society 2011 seminar report (pdf 1.17MB).
"We haven't got the money, so we have to think....."
There are photos and videos from the seminar around this site, and below are some of the things we were immediately
struck by as a result of the event:
Firstly - this is just the beginning. We have a huge mountain to climb to work out how to do more for less. To steal one of our provocateur's quotations from Ernest Rutherford - "We haven't got the money, so we have to think". Friday's event showed that we are already deep in the process of new thinking and discussing solutions. The more conversations and sharing we do, the more likely it is that we will be able to identify and implement these ideas.
Secondly - it is the 'soft' problems of culture change, institutional inertia, apathy versus engagement which were identified time and time again as barriers to getting on with it. We must do more to explore and understand these issues - and test new ways of working and overcoming them. We had participants joining us from the private, public and voluntary sector - who are all exploring and defining what participation, involvement and need means for the communities and consumers they represent.
Thirdly - despite the clash between the certainties of public sector spending cuts, versus the flexible interpretations of 'big society', there is a huge amount of awareness, understanding and willingness in our participants to imagine a new settlement between the state and citizens. Although it is easy to shorthand some of these new models (Lambeth's John Lewis, Suffolk's App Store, Barnet's 'no‐frills', Sutton's 'Big Society' vanguard) the councils were there on Friday to dispel myths, and get stuck in to what it all really means for their residents.
Fourthly - councillors - elected local government, is key to cementing local relationships and convening local partnerships. Although the arguments between local and national wings of government about powers and finance will remain, it was seen as a pre‐condition to achieving genuine local societies. This is because there will always need to be a safety net, an arbiter of resources, a link to the voiceless and protection of the most vulnerable.
Lastly - active networking - bringing people together who hadn't met before and had much to share, worked. It was fantastic to see so many senior professionals get together and talk. We deliberately kept the style away from the usual 'top table' format - our thanks to everyone who, in the spirit of doing things differently, participated enthusiastically, openly and constructively, including our special guest, Lord Nat Wei the Government's adviser on Big Society (read more on his contribution on Nat Wei's Blog)
We want to keep these conversations going - online and in future events. We'd like everyone who wants to, to think about convening their own spaces for participation and keep us linked into their reports and progress. Above all, we would like to extend the conversation and networking to as many people and sectors as possible. Keep in touch with us - through these links, twitter, email, face to face and from your regions and organisations.
More soon.
Firstly - this is just the beginning. We have a huge mountain to climb to work out how to do more for less. To steal one of our provocateur's quotations from Ernest Rutherford - "We haven't got the money, so we have to think". Friday's event showed that we are already deep in the process of new thinking and discussing solutions. The more conversations and sharing we do, the more likely it is that we will be able to identify and implement these ideas.
Secondly - it is the 'soft' problems of culture change, institutional inertia, apathy versus engagement which were identified time and time again as barriers to getting on with it. We must do more to explore and understand these issues - and test new ways of working and overcoming them. We had participants joining us from the private, public and voluntary sector - who are all exploring and defining what participation, involvement and need means for the communities and consumers they represent.
Thirdly - despite the clash between the certainties of public sector spending cuts, versus the flexible interpretations of 'big society', there is a huge amount of awareness, understanding and willingness in our participants to imagine a new settlement between the state and citizens. Although it is easy to shorthand some of these new models (Lambeth's John Lewis, Suffolk's App Store, Barnet's 'no‐frills', Sutton's 'Big Society' vanguard) the councils were there on Friday to dispel myths, and get stuck in to what it all really means for their residents.
Fourthly - councillors - elected local government, is key to cementing local relationships and convening local partnerships. Although the arguments between local and national wings of government about powers and finance will remain, it was seen as a pre‐condition to achieving genuine local societies. This is because there will always need to be a safety net, an arbiter of resources, a link to the voiceless and protection of the most vulnerable.
Lastly - active networking - bringing people together who hadn't met before and had much to share, worked. It was fantastic to see so many senior professionals get together and talk. We deliberately kept the style away from the usual 'top table' format - our thanks to everyone who, in the spirit of doing things differently, participated enthusiastically, openly and constructively, including our special guest, Lord Nat Wei the Government's adviser on Big Society (read more on his contribution on Nat Wei's Blog)
We want to keep these conversations going - online and in future events. We'd like everyone who wants to, to think about convening their own spaces for participation and keep us linked into their reports and progress. Above all, we would like to extend the conversation and networking to as many people and sectors as possible. Keep in touch with us - through these links, twitter, email, face to face and from your regions and organisations.
More soon.
Toby Blume Simon Burall Joe Simpson
Chief Executive Director Director of Politics
Urban Forum Involve Local Government Leadership
Chief Executive Director Director of Politics
Urban Forum Involve Local Government Leadership
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