The Public Sector’s Role in the Big Society

1. The Public Sector’s Role in the Big Society • Historical and political context of municipal and rural governance that created a broad civic structure • High public office seen as a reward for social philanthropy or industrial / commercial success • Public acceptance of the benign role of local government, associated with attractive civic buildings, and positive social spaces. • Public subsidy and local tax raising accepted as necessary for social cohesion – support of the vulnerable. • ‘Chunky’ infrastructure and delivery tolerated for greater good, and as a trade against high flying careers

2. Gradually the mood music has changed . . . . . . . . • Public antagonism towards system failures of public services has grown, as has a hostlity towards high salaries. • Assets seen as sold off in a random and non strategic way. • Peoples politics have shifted to single issue, and individual networking shows less respect for all corporate institutions. • Less people own public spaces, as car usage increases. • Celebrity charities, with huge marketing budgets, are damaging ‘street’ level fundraising.

3. What are the unspokens ? • Much big society stuff is ‘womens’ work – no blue lights in sight. • Governments incapable of awarding contracts to other than large corporates. • Politicians have convinced the public that public sector management is a bad thing. • Many professionals prefer a weak and needy consumer. • Without currency – consumers will not be able to create new demands. • Large scale change has catastrophic political consequences.

4. So what does the future look like ? • Governments must grow expertise to commission creatively. • New civil service required beyond policy and statute skills. • Voluntary and philanthropic sectors have flourished in areas where ‘second income’ and self reliance may have substituted for the role of the state. • Social business sector has flourished where volume based profit is hard to achieve – driving costs down further is a deal breaker. • Ongoing dilemma between local v national, and individual v standardising. • Public assets should be transferred into community ownership