Title

A government minister has called on councils to cut back on public spending and use social enterprise instead. Third sector minister, Phil Hope, said he wanted to see more social enterprises involved ‘in the provision of public services'. Speaking at a conference in Dudley, Mr Hope said: ‘They bring innovation to community services that sometimes the Government finds quite hard to deliver. ‘From a local authority perspective, using social enterprises can also make a tangible difference to the council's bottom line.' Social Enterprise Coalition chief executive, Jonathan Bland, said: ‘We have a lot of members doing fantastic things. Many of them are working with local authorities, doing everything from social care to waste and transport.' Mr Bland said coalition members included Hackney Community Transport, which runs three London bus routes, and also more than 100 leisure trusts around the country. ‘What all our members have in common is the ability to combine the rigours of the private sector with a public service ethos. ‘It does not necessarily mean that their service will be cheaper,' he added. ‘Social enterprises are not a quick way of cutting costs, but they are seen to give true best value and a more holistic approach.' Mr Bland said the coalition had found the use of social enterprises by councils ‘is a bit patchy'. ‘Unfortunately, there are a lot of people who do not understand social enterprises and will just go for the default option. They simply head for the standard approach and do not think about cleverer ways of getting more for their money.' Mr Bland said communities secretary, Hazel Blears, would be among speakers at its Voice 08 conference in Liverpool on 27 February.

Title

BUSINESS

Social enterprise 'offers better value' says Hope

SUBSCRIBE TO CONTINUE READING