To all those that ventured out on Friday to attend the Big Conversation, hosted by Voluntary Norfolk, a big thank you. Turn out was impressive with pertinent questions being asked from the floor. However, there appears to be a distinct acceptance that, no matter how painful, cuts in services are the only way forward. Indeed some voluntary service providers see this as an actual positive opportunity for them to expand into areas that are currently, and rightly, in the public sector field. We say rightly because, for all its faults, the public sector does at least have the checks and balances in place that the voluntary sector does not. It also has a level of expertise that the voluntary sector does not posess.
A complete report on the meeting will be posted by our Community Reporters shortly, in the meantime please take a few minutes to look at a website that gives an alternative viewpoint on the cuts.
The Big Conversation
Despite the big freeze sweeping Britain, many of you came to The Kings Centre on the 3rd of December to express your opinions and have your voice heard on the recent news of the funding given to the council and the cuts which were also announced late October. Questions were raised on how it could save money for bigger voluntary projects in the Borough and Ideas were put across on how the budget could be spent on areas such as youth projects and more community based activities. Questions were also asked on what the recent cuts could mean for the future of the Borough and how saving could prevent future cuts in funding.
The council’s proposal on reducing its size, meant for organisations that have been funded through the years by its previous budget could be cut to allow new voluntary organisations to be funded for areas such as training and equipment. This proposal meant that organisations that were previously funded by the council and could be cut from the new budget will have to be self-sufficient in providing their own form of funding.
The event finished in the afternoon with questions answered and new ideas encouraged. With thoughts on what the changes could mean for the borough in the future.
The Council will discuss the views and proposals made at the event in a cabinet meeting in January with the full council and will agree on a Budget on Monday 14th February.
Report submitted by
Danny James
96k Community Reporter
