Big Society needs local clarity to counter confusion

Debates about the meaning of the Government’s Big Society plan highlight some fundamental communication challenges for its supporters. The most pressing obstacle can be seen in recent survey results, which suggest that most people do not understand the what the Big Society stands for. This has led some critics to suggest that it is being used to shield big cuts, rather than represent [...]

Time for a Big Society debate

The CIPR has had some valid things to say this week about the ‘Big Society’ and the role communications could play in enhancing the public’s understanding of this idea. The institute’s CEO Jane Wilson has blogged about the subject, arguing that local communicators and leaders are better placed to build support for the Big Society than Government. This debate continued on CIPRTV, which looked at (amongst other [...]

Town hall tweets bring budget straight to public

Cornwall Council’s emergency budget meeting last week identified millions in savings, and interest in this was understandably high. Public sector communicators often wrestle with the question of how best to inform the public about key decisions which impact on the services they receive.

Social housing lacks ‘X Factor’ appeal

The Government’s proposed social housing reforms were published today, promising some of the most radical changes the sector has seen for a generation. Changes to the right to lifelong tenancies, the introduction of an ’Affordable Rent‘ model and the long-awaited reform of Council housing finance are all set out, and have been the source of debate amongst housing people in recent weeks. I have not gone [...]