In a speech in Liverpool earlier this week the Prime Minister gave more detail of his vision for the Big Society agenda. He outlined plans for a new Big Society Bank, and announced the country's first Big Society communities in Sutton, Windsor & Maidenhead, Eden Valley in Cumbria, and Liverpool. 
 
In a letter from NAVCA Chief Executive Kevin Curley published in 'The Independent' on 22nd July stated  "It is remarkable and welcome that our Prime Minister wants to strengthen local voluntary action and has made this a priority for his government.
 
Success will mean in five years' time that many more people are volunteering in their communities, there are many more neighbourhood groups, most people are donating regularly to local charities and most local companies are supporting local causes.
 
This will not happen because the government says so. It needs patient, long-term development work by support charities such as Councils for Voluntary Service and Volunteer Centres.
 
It is precisely these organisations which are now being hit by deep cuts in local authority grants. There is a serious disconnect between the aspiration to build a Big Society and cuts in funding to local charities."

For more detailed information visit www.navca.org.uk/stratwork/bigsociety.htm