Harreitt Baldwin this week took the Government’s Big Society message to a group of leading county organisations. The West Worcestershire MP was speaking at a meeting organised by Pershore Market Town Partnership, Wychavon District Council and the Pershore Chamber of Trade to discuss latest plans to encourage Big Society initiatives. Attendees included representatives from councils, voluntary sector leaders and local business people. Last month, Harriett took a delegation of voluntary sector representatives to a meeting in Westminster with Civil Society Minister Nick Hurd. Harriett commented: “The Big Society has long been alive and well in West Worcestershire. Pershore is arguably its capital city and the Number 8 Community Arts Centre is its natural home. I am pleased that so many people took the time to come and discuss how the Big Society can become even bigger in our local area. Harriett added: “The long term vision of a bigger society with more power for people to affect their own communities is easy to see, and our local councils are doing everything they can to help in the short term, against a backdrop where public spending is declining. “In addition to national leadership, I know that our local councils will want work closely with the voluntary sector to engage and consult as they deal with the latest budget settlement.”