Theme 7 - Community transport and the Big Society
Introduction
Big Society is a big idea but what does it mean for transport? The sessions in this theme will look at what it is and how far it has progressed to date. Speakers and delegates will explore both the implications for transport and its role in bringing about Big Society. If commercial transport services are reduced or cut, can community transport step in to meet the needs of disadvantaged communities and individuals? Sessions in this theme will attract those who want to both learn about the effects of Big Society and also to influence its development. The Big Society Bank and its role will also be discussed, as will recent work in the Big Society vanguards.
Session 7A – Big Society: The story so far
Wednesday 16 March, 09:30 to 10:15
The Big Society has been described as a ‘society in which individual citizens feel big’ - big in terms of being supported, enabled, having real influence and being capable of creating change in their neighbourhood. Most people try to be reasonably good citizens but they frequently perceive their influence to be very small. Big Society is articulated by the Prime Minister, as a powerful vision to change this, creating a nation of empowered citizens and communities. So is it working? Community transport sits firmly in the ‘civil society’ as defined by government and its history is rooted in the community activism that is Big Society. We will start this theme by examining progress to date and looking at the aspirations and opportunities for community transport in the Big Society.
Session 7B – The role of transport in the Big Society
Wednesday 16 March, 10:45 to 11:30
Having established progress to date and discussed the vision for the Big Society, we will look in more detail at the role and impact of transport and how it can take advantage of the new opportunities. We will look at two of the Big Society ‘vanguards’ that have already been established and how community driven solutions were applied to transport. . We will also consider how community transport can build on its foundations of community empowerment to ensure that local people can influence both the services they require and the policies that govern them.
Session 7C – Where might Big Society take us in the future?
Wednesday 16 March, 12:00 to 12:45
The vision of the Big Society has been interpreted in different ways, but a number key themes appear to be emerging:
- Empowering individuals and communities: Decentralising and redistributing power from central to local government and also directly to communities and individuals.
- Promoting social responsibility: Encouraging organisations and individuals to get involved in social action, whether small neighbourhood activities or larger collective actions.
- Building a more accountable state: Achieving a real shift in government action from top-down micromanagement to a much more flexible approach characterized by transparency, payment by results, and support for social enterprise, mutuals and co-operatives.
In this session we will explore these and other ideas and where they may lead in the community transport field. We will consider how transport organisations can influence them, as well as the challenges and opportunities they present.
Session 7D – What can the Big Society Bank do for you?
Wednesday 16 March, 13:45 to 14:30
The Government is committed to establishing a Big Society Bank (BSB) to help civil society organisations access more resources and play a bigger role in delivering public services. The BSB will work ,over the medium term, with new and existing social investment intermediaries to support the growth of a bigger, well functioning and sustainable social investment market. How will this impact on transport providers in the civil society? And what role can the BSB have in supporting sustainable delivery of accessible transport and mobility? This session will explore these themes, update delegates on BSB progress and look at what the BSB might do for their organisations.
Session 7E – What does CT need to survive in the Big Society?
Wednesday 16 March, 15:00 to 15:45
The government has articulated a range of policies to support the vision of a Big Society. These include flagships such the Big Society Bank, training 5,000 new community organisers and the creation of a National Citizen Service programme. Other key policy reforms will include the Localism Bill, which will reform the planning system to empower neighbourhoods, the Public Services Reform White Paper and reforms to enable public service employees to form independent employee-owned co-operatives. Are these what your organisation needs to survive in the Big Society? Or do you need something different? This session will consider the needs of community transport organisations and help to inform the CTA’s policy work with government, in order to influence the development of an environment in which our members can grow and thrive.
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