Political correspondent Nick Robinson hosted an interesting documentary called “The Street That Cut Everything” on BBC on Monday night. This was Prime Minister David Cameron’s Big Society in action.
A street in Preston conceded council services for 6 weeks. As a community, they had to run everything from rubbish collection to graffiti cleaning, benefits support to planning issues.
The result. At first a mess and then a little better. By the end of it, all residents were glad to be back to their real jobs and leave the councils to the jobs we all pay our council taxes for.
Whilst the Big Society idea made great television, it would’t last a day in the real world. Firstly, the community were at odds. Community spirit is great for the odd paint job, but big decisions needed leadership which was limited and meeting agenda’s non-existent.
Tackling issues that were personal and contentious served to be a problem for the community and rather than working together, neighbourhood gossip and bitching started to take place. Nevermind the attention to legislation and regulations that had to be abided by to collect old fridges, collect rubbish and clean graffiti. Their lack of attention and research left them with heavy penalties.
So does the Big Society idea work? I am sure there is a place for the Big Society concept of the community taking responsibility and having more power. However, there is only so much responsibility and power the community can take before you start dismantling a community. I for one value local councils for the jobs they do. Like most people, I would like them to do it better.
The Street That Cut Everything can be watched on BBC IPlayer
Bunty
