The Big Society: making things happen by encouraging active citizenship

Whilst the Coalition government is trying to introduce a new concept of governance across the UK call The Big Society, Lewisham likes to argue that it is well ahead of the trend in terms of the devolution of power and services and the encouragement of active citizenship. The local authority has long since ceased considering itself as a service-delivery organisation and prefers to take a strategic and facilitating role. Lewisham is proud of it attempts to engage more people in the deliberative process of local governance. It employs a Local Assemblies Manager and a team of 6 co-ordinators, which is given a high priority by the Mayor and will be protected from spending cuts.