The Chairman introduced Ellie Kershaw, Policy and Performance Manager and Ryan O’Connell, Corporate Projects and Overview and Scrutiny Manager. The purpose of the report was to establish the Council’s approach to the bigger society and outlined a pot of £100k that the communities could bid for to deliver the bigger society.

Members questioned whether the funding allocated would be match funded and questioned why this had not been made clearer in the report. Mr O’Connell explained that the report was primarily about establishing Maidstone’s role as an enabler or facilitator and setting up the pot of money. As a result the report was very open and restrictions would not be put in place until people begun coming forward and informed decisions could be made. In addition to the budget allocation of £100,000, Members were informed that Officer time and expertise would be allocated to this as well as a matching website which would put different entities in touch with each other which would help signpost organisations at no extra cost to the Council. Miss Kershaw informed Members that the Bigger Society already existed where certain issues such as a local post office or library closure had resonated with a local community. A community group may begin in this way but Maidstone Borough Council would enable them to carry on past the initial project or starting point as part of the Big Society. In terms of making the public aware of the Bigger Society there would be work with business on corporate and social responsibility funds and a roadshow to engage with the community.

Members emphasised the need to balance cuts from other services when considering proposals and not just to focus on innovation. Members were informed that a business case would be asked for and an assessment would be made in relations to service gaps in the early stages of all proposals considered.

It was recommended that the Bigger Society programme should progress to Cabinet for Maidstone Borough Council to mover forward with the Bigger Society.