How will Big Society impact on the sector?
Following the announcement of the new Governments plan for a ‘Big Society’ there has been a great deal of speculation about what this new policy will entail and how it will impact upon voluntary sector organisations.
Generally the Big Society is likely to involve more devolution of powers to local communities, organisations and governments, as well as an increased involvement in public services of voluntary and private sector organisations.
The Prime Minister said recently, "We should not be naive enough to think that simply if government rolls back and does less, then miraculously society will spring up and do more” and it is thought that the setting up of a Big Society Bank will be crucial in the funding of his Big Society vision. This will use money from dormant bank accounts to provide start up funding.
Big Society will also encourage volunteering and philanthropy as well as potentially open up contract opportunities for existing public sector services to voluntary sector and private sector organisations.
While this has led to some optimism in the sector, many are fearful of the impact the combination of spending cuts an increased reliance on voluntary organisations will have. Dave Prentis, general secretary of Unison, has argued that, "The government is simply washing its hands of providing decent public services and using volunteers as a cut-price alternative." Indeed, many third sector organisations have already seen their contracts with local authorities being cut at a time when the demand for their services is ever increasing.
It certainly seems that the anticipated £60M initial funding of the Big Society Bank is not going to achieve much optimism when set against the much greater cuts in public sector contracts with charities.
Whether Big Society provides new opportunities for your organisation or requires you to fight for and justify your existing services, the need for diversified income streams is more necessary than ever.
For further information on the impact and development of the Big Society agenda the NCVO is running an ongoing discussion.
