Big Society... from a Liberal Democrat Perspective
Where: Reading International Solidarity Centre, 35-39 London Street, Reading, UK, RG1 4PS
With: Ms Kirsten Bayes, Former Deputy Leader, Reading Borough Council
Summary
This seminar concluded the Dialogue Society, Southampton Branch’s exploration of the Big Society from a range of political perspectives. Kirsten Bayes, former Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader of Reading Borough Council, gave her own reflections on what “Big Society” does, could and should mean. Her presentation was followed by a lively debate about the current government funding policy and its effect on small charities and social enterprises. A diverse group of participants included local politicians and representatives from local community organisations.
Abstract
The "Big Society" seminar series in Reading will conclude with this event. After hearing the perspectives of representatives of the Conservatives (Mr Alok Sharma MP) and Labour (Councillor Bet Tickner), we turn to the Liberal Democrats for the third and final seminar of the "Big Society" seminar series.
Liberal Democrat Ex-Councillor Kirsten Bayes will deliver a speech about Big Society and will respond to questions.
Biography of Kirsten Bayes
Ms Kirsten Bayes has been living in central Reading since 1990, and was elected to the Council in 2007.
She currently works for a company which makes additives for lubricants and fuels, including biofuels. For a number of years, She was a director and sometime chair of the management company which runs the estate she lives on. She also taught for six years at Oxford Brookes University Business School, as an associate lecturer in the marketing department.
In the past She has been a member of various campaigning groups promoting improvements in civil liberties, diversity and inclusion, and defence/security. Her current areas of focus include planning issues, education, and the street environment.
