Sue LowePolicy Manager - East of England

Local Intelligence Team Office for Civil Society

Cabinet Office

Big Society where are we now?

“We believe that the country will be stronger if we as citizens have more power and responsibility to improve our own lives, the communities we share and the public services we use....

To encourage more people to get involved and work together to improve their communities....

The opportunity to influence the world around you, to feel connected, to be able to make a contribution, and to trust those around you – these are some of the most important contributors to our well-being...

This is the thread that runs from the idea of building a bigger and stronger society through our focus on well being and the idea that Ministers and commissioners should consider the full value and effect of the services they provide...

This is about building on the large amount of inspiring work already done by the Civil Society and communities across Britain and doing more to recognise the value of that work and encouraging and enabling more to happen.”

Nick Hurd, Minister for Civil Society, October 2011

“We believe that the country will be stronger if we as citizens have more power and responsibility to improve our own lives, the communities we share and the public services we use....

To encourage more people to get involved and work together to improve their communities....

The opportunity to influence the world around you, to feel connected, to be able to make a contribution, and to trust those around you – these are some of the most important contributors to our well-being...

This is the thread that runs from the idea of building a bigger and stronger society through our focus on well being and the idea that Ministers and commissioners should consider the full value and effect of the services they provide...

This is about building on the large amount of inspiring work already done by the Civil Society and communities across Britain and doing more to recognise the value of that work and encouraging and enabling more to happen.”

Nick Hurd, Minister for Civil Society, October 2011

To build a bigger and stronger society

Big Society – So far...

Opening Public Services

Office of Civil Society’s Role

Local Intelligence Team (LIT)

Opportunities for Civil Society

Achievements so far

GOAL ONE(1)

GOAL TWO (1)

GOAL TWO (2)

GOAL THREE (1)

GOAL THREE (2)

Crown Representative for VCSE

• New role created as part of Government’s commitment to enable charities and social enterprises to do more – Michael O’Toole appointed

• Government wants to improve its relationship with VCSE and open up public service opportunities

• Build upon making it easier for more VCSEs to tender for public contracts, e.g. - – All contracts now published including under the £100K threshold– PQQs gone for <£100K contracts (simplified for above)

Strategic Objectives of the role• Open up more business to VCSE organisations, influence

public sector commissioning and procurement • Build strategic dialogue between government and the VCS

sector• Strong VCSE voice at the highest levels and communicate key

developments out • Open up public sector business to VCSEs• Build strategic commercial engagement with representative

groups / stakeholders:• Work with other Crown Representatives / Commercial Leads,

procurement, public service reform, OCS and Departments

How can you help/find out more?• It is early days for this new role and Michael looks forward to

building relationships across the sector

• Welcome feedback on how we can do more to help VCSEs value your comments

• Michael.o’toole@cabinet-office.gsi.gov.uk • http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/content/crown-representati

ve-voluntary-community-and-social-enterprises

• Please follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/otoole_michael

Local Intelligence Team (WM), Office of the Civil Society, Cabinet Office

Sue LowePolicy Manager, Local Intelligence Office for Civil Society, Cabinet OfficeThe Business Centre, Station Road, Histon, CB24 9LQ07818 077266Suzanne.lowe@cabinet-office.gsi.gov.uk

For more information: www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk

www.communities.gov.uk

www.number10.gov.uk/take-part/