A rallying call has been issued to businesses in Sutton to become part of the Government’s Big Society.

The call was made at a special event at the House of Lords on Friday, January 21, when more than 50 representatives from local companies, charities, Sutton Council and the police met to discuss how to make “Big Society Business” a driving force for the prosperity of the borough.

Among the speakers was Adam Knuckey, from Mentoring and Peer Support Sutton (MAPS), who said businesses could play a major role by becoming mentors, trustees and donors for local charities.

Councillor Jayne McCoy, the council’s spokesperson on economic development, said: “Businesses can provide opportunities for projects to grow; support existing projects through funding or practical interventions; or they can become their own Big Society community and undertake work directly for and on behalf of others.”

The Big society plans aim to devolve more power to communities, increase volunteering, and make residents more active in society.

Sutton was selected as a vanguard to take the plans forward.

For more information email Many Cherrington, Sutton Council’s Head of Business Development & Regulation, at mandy.cherrington@sutton.gov.uk