Experts hail One Borough One Future

Publication date: Friday 1 June 2012

Leading innovation experts hailed Haringey's pioneering One Borough One Future fund, which is now open for applications.

The £1.2million fund – set up to inspire people to come forward with ideas to tackle inequality and deliver better services in the borough – was officially launched yesterday (Thursday 31 May).

One Borough One Future will support ideas which will deliver changes to services and working practices; make creative use of resources; offer new ways to meet needs, and find practical ways of making Haringey a more equal place to live and work.

At an ‘Innovation Summit’ to mark the launch, guest speakers from leading think tanks praised the council’s approach.

Geoff Mulgan, former director of policy at Downing Street and current chief executive of innovations charity Nesta, said:

“This is music to my ears. It is about getting quickly down to practical action which will make a difference to people’s lives.

“The more you can do to tap into the brain power of people out there, you will almost certainly get better ideas.

“I hope these are small steps that have in sight the bigger ambitions that will be possible.”

Richard Vize, contributing editor of the Guardian Local Government Network, said:

“The One Borough One Future Fund takes guts, that’s why it’s the right thing to do.

“You need to create an environment where people feel the opportunity to try something new.

“Innovation is a luxury when times are good, but it’s essential when times are tough. It’s the only way to meet the changing needs of communities.”

The meeting also heard from Dominic Campbell, Director of FutureGov, Haringey Council Leader Claire Kober and Cllr Joe Goldberg, Cabinet Member for Finance and Carbon Reduction.

Cllr Goldberg said:

“The One Borough One Future fund is one of the boldest ideas in local government in years. Haringey is the most unequal borough in the UK and we want to tackle that so that all our residents can prosper.

“Through the ideas submitted to the One Borough One Future fund we hope to find answers to some of the big challenges facing Haringey. The launch was just the beginning – we look forward to hearing from anyone with an idea to make Haringey a better place.”

An innovation panel will select a range of ideas to work into proposals before choosing which projects to take forward.

Priority will be given to ideas which:

• Reduce inequality
• Meet needs which aren’t currently being met
• Offer a more efficient approach to delivering council objectives
• Put the needs of residents at the heart of the process
• Offer value for money
• Are sustainable and self-sufficient

Further information on application criteria and how to apply is available on the One Borough One Future pages or by calling 020 8489 2964.

Picture shows (left to right): Cllr Joe Goldberg, Dominic Campbell, director of FutureGov, Geoff Mulgan, chief exec of Nesta, Cllr Claire Kober, Richard Vize, contributing editor of Guardian Local Government Network.

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