1. The Big Society – and
local government
7th December 2010

2. About Calderdale
• The borough and the people
• The Council

3. Our values
• Becoming co-authors of a new script
(neighbourhoods)
• Safeguarding and regulation
• Involvement and facilitation

4. Three challenges (with thanks to
Matthew Taylor)
• Committed leadership
• Capacity within the community
• An organisation that gets it
We need all three to untap the ‘hidden wealth’
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5. Three behaviours
• ‘Militant optimism’ (D Campbell)
• Openness (to exit routes!)
• Resilience
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6. The Big Society in Action:
Hebden Bridge Town Hall
• 1890 Grade II listed Town
Hall building
• Much-loved feature of town
• Increasingly underused
• Increasingly decrepit
• Community group in 2008
www.hebdenbridgetownhall.org.uk
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7. The traditional Town Hall
Temple
Preserve of political class
Closed outside office hours
Activities segregated
Formal council chamber
Public galleries
No retail
Entrance up flight of steps
No children
Office furniture
Counter service
Public meetings held behind closed doors
Little information displayed
Hush

8. The new Town Hall
Talking shop
Owned by all
Open evenings and weekends
Activities mixed
Informal council chamber
Roof top cafes and bars
Accessible street level entrance
Children welcome
Domestic or club furniture
Desk service
Public meeting visible
Copious information displayed
Buzz
Image courtesy of Bauman Lyons Architects

9. The Big Society in Action
www.incredible-edible-todmorden.co.uk
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10. The Big Society in action
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11. The Big Society in Action
• LIS (Local Integrated
Services)
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12. Resilient future?
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13. Further reading/inspiration!
• ‘The Big Society: next practice and public service
futures’ (Available on http://www.solace.org.uk/ from
10th December 2010)
• ‘Connected’ by Nicolas Christakis and James Fowler

14. Contact details
Robin Tuddenham, Director of Safer and Stronger
Communities
• Robin.tuddenham@calderdale.gov.uk
• http://twitter.com/robintuddenham