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Despite only a minority of people feeling that they can influence local decisions or taking part in volunteering over the past year, the majority of people are satisfied with where they live, according to a national survey
Ministers believe this satisfaction in cohesive communities can be the bedrock on which to build the Big Society, by giving more power and responsibility to people and their communities. The plans will support local areas so they can take an active part in tackling local problems and contribute to decisions that affect them.
Communities Minister Andrew Stunell said:
"It's good news that the great majority of people get on well with each other and are satisfied with their local area. But levels of volunteering and civic participation could be higher. We want to see communities all over the country in which high numbers of people are actively engaged in making their neighbourhood better and are giving something back.
"At the same time as we are showing people that we trust them to know what will work best in their local area, we are also greatly increasing transparency and openness in the processes of Parliament and Government.
"Everyone has a part to play in building the Big Society. The Government's job is to make sure that individuals and community groups have the freedom and tools to enable them to get involved in civic and social action or to build on the good work they are already engaged in."
The survey results, covering the year 2009-10, indicate a large majority of people think they live in a cohesive community, agreeing that their local area was a place where people from different backgrounds got on well together.
The survey asked 16,000 people for their views on civic engagement, volunteering, community cohesion and discrimination.
The Citizenship Survey: 2009-10 (April 2009 - March 2010), England, can be found here http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/corporate/statistics/citizenshipsurveyq4200910.
The Prime Minister's speech on the Big Society on Monday 19 July can be found here: www.number10.gov.uk/news/latest-news/2010/07/pm-kick-starts-big-society-in-liverpool-2-53582 (external link).
The press notice on the National Citizen Service can be found here: http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/newsroom/news_releases/2010/100722-citizenservice.aspx (external link).
Source: ©DCLG
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