We can deliver the Big Society say Sutton Council

When Prime Minister David Cameron launched his "Big Society" drive to empower communities, many journalists and media correspondents were readily sharpening their knives, however only days after the announcement one council has begun driving the message of empowerment to their residents.

In an exclusive interview with online public sector information organisation GovToday, Sutton Council Leader Sean Brennan has spoken of his passion for delivering Sutton’s own big society. Speaking about the benefits of a Big Society for Sutton residents, the Council Leader said;

“We will be talking to our community to agree which bureaucratic barriers should be dismantled to release a surge of groups and individuals willing to step forward and do the achingly practical things that build a stronger everyday society. 

“The first things we will look at are how government can give people more influence on local transport decisions, train a new generation of young community organisers, give communities the power to green their neighbourhoods and give people a greater say in local health provision.  This is just the beginning, but it marks an important cultural shift in which we can all take part.  Together we can put more power and decision making in the hands of local people.”

However, the Borough of Sutton has always empowered their community members, with such initiatives as Smarter Travel Sutton, the Hackbridge sustainable community, the soon-to-open Sutton Life Centre and the Take Part Take Pride community season. These successful initiatives ensured Sutton was named as London’s test bed for the Big Society by the Prime Minister and now there is a real sense of optimism across Sutton - especially from Council Leader Brennan;

“I would say the announcement of Test Bed status is a cause for real optimism. In Sutton we have long held the view that it’s the man and woman on the street who need the freedom and power to help themselves and their communities.  Because of this we have managed to preserve a good old fashioned sense of community.  Sutton is brimming with clubs and societies and we have a very active voluntary sector.

“We will be talking to our community to agree which bureaucratic barriers should be dismantled to release a surge of groups and individuals willing to step forward and do the achingly practical things that build a stronger everyday society.  The first things we will look at are how government can give people more influence on local transport decisions, train a new generation of young community organisers, give communities the power to green their neighbourhoods and give people a greater say in local health provision. 

“This is just the beginning, but it marks an important cultural shift in which we can all take part.  Together we can put more power and decision making in the hands of local people.”

The ‘Big Society’ will be discussed at the forthcoming GovToday Sustainable Communities Conference: Building the Big Society, on the 11^th November at Church House, Westminster, London

For further details visit: www.buildingthebigsociety.co.uk