Locality launches five key pledges to help the community sector 4

Governance | Vibeka Mair | 7 Apr 2011

Locality has committed to mobilising a million people over the next three years, and supporting community groups in building enterprising business models, as part of five key pledges it announced at its launch at the House of Lords yesterday.

Locality’s chief executive Steve Wyler, says the five pledges will “build on the inspirational work of Locality’s members and allow the passion and ambition of communities everywhere to flourish”.

The pledges include a promise to “tell it as it is" about cuts to the charity sector, forge better alliances, and mobilise a million people through local campaigns, community organising, and timebanking.

Wyler also said Locality will help build community capability through enterprising business models:

“I want to encourage asset ownership,” said Wyler, “and have community groups which are running businesses with surpluses.”

Locality was formed last year from the merger of bassac and the Development Trusts Association. It is running the government’s £15m community organiser scheme and is a government strategic partner

It is also in the early stages of setting up an Institute for Community Organisers.

Its five key pledges are –

To speak truth to power (“At a time when cuts are falling disproportionately on the poorest communities, we will tell it as it is”)
To take on the blockers and the bureaucrats (“All too often communities achieve things despite those who control resources and decisions - we aim to change that for good”)
To forge a big alliance (“No single organisation can by itself achieve the community transformation we are aiming for - we will build mutuality within our movement, and alliances with others in the third sector, private sector, and government”)
To build community capability (“We are determined to build resilient organisations that are here to stay, founded on asset ownership, enterprising business models, and high-impact social action”)
To mobilise a million (“Through local campaigns, community organising, and timebanking, we will help our members mobilise a million people over the next three years”)

Who's Who: Steve Wyler

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Louise Rogers
Lead Consultant
LR Associates
12 Apr 2011

To speak truth to power - what does this mean?

To take on the blockers and the bureaucrats - yes let's get up the noses of the public sector rather than work with them. They aren't having a great time at the moment so let's be confrontational which doesn't sit very easily with ....

.... To forge a big alliance - those of us who have been working within Local Strategic Partnerships and neighbourhood partnerships have been doing this for many years - where have these people been?

To build community capability - this may be needed in some places but as Ray notes - what exists already needs supporting too.

To mobilise a million - where are there one million people who aren't already involved in their communities. This is insulting in suggesting that what has been achieved over the last 15 years is somehow falling drastically short. It also suggests that getting a million people involved has no cost implications either in terms of time or cash.

The only thing falling short is the eyesight of those who cannot see that the 'Big Society' exists in many places already. Support what is already happening and stop telling us that you are going to spring into action to create something completely new - you aren't! And stop insulting what many of us are already doing.

[Reply]

John Woodruff
Deputy Chair and Treasurer
Independent Options (North West)
8 Apr 2011

I couldn't agree more, Ray.

[Reply]

Ray Cortis
7 Apr 2011

They should be spending £15 Million pounds on the existing community organisations which are doing sterling work in the sector and are just about to go/or have gone under because of lack of core funding.
Instead they are spending these crucial funds on high brow consultants who have no idea of on the ground issues who will be making everyone jump through their hoops once again.

[Reply]

Barbara Harbinson
Chief Executive
Halifax Opportunities Trust
10 Apr 2011
Response to [Ray Cortis]

I can't imagine what you have based your observation on - it is certainly not reality

[Reply]

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