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Issue - meetings
The Bigger Society in Maidstone
Meeting: 21/12/2011 - Cabinet. (Item 113)
113 The Bigger Society in Maidstone PDF 78 KB
Additional documents:
- Appendix A Bigger Society Action Plan, item 113
PDF 38 KB View as HTML (113/2) 11 KB
- Appendix B Assessment form, item 113
PDF 27 KB View as HTML (113/3) 6 KB
Decision:
1. That the objectives and aims as set out below be agreed.
2. That the recommended approach to the Council’s role in promoting the bigger society be agreed.
3. That the bidding process for the bigger society fund be agreed
Minutes:
DECISION MADE:
1. That the objectives and aims as set out below be agreed.
2. That the recommended approach to the Council’s role in promoting the bigger society be agreed.
3. That the bidding process for the bigger society fund be agreed.
To view full details of this decision, please click here:-
Meeting: 06/12/2011 - Communities Overview & Scrutiny Committee (Item 108)
108 The Bigger Society in Maidstone PDF 78 KB
Interview with Ellie Kershaw, Policy and Performance Manager
Additional documents:
- Appendix A Bigger Society Action Plan, item 108
PDF 38 KB View as HTML (108/2) 11 KB
- Appendix B Assessment form, item 108
PDF 27 KB View as HTML (108/3) 6 KB
Minutes:
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.