January saw the great and the good of social enterprise gathered in Manchester for "Voice 05", the 1st social Enterprise Coalition National Conference. The event was a sell-out with 800 delegates and a packed programme of sessions covering a range of issues including the new Community Interest Company legislation, public service delivery and proving the value of social enterprise. Organisations with national, regional and local remits had stands at the event, as did a smattering of locally based ones including Manchester Social Enterprise Forum.
Key note speakers included Nigel Griffiths, Minister for Social Enterprise, and Alan Milburn MP, Labour's chief election strategist. With the general election coming, great emphasis was placed on the current government's commitment to supporting social enterprise,achievements to date & pledges of future support. Alan Milburn placed particular focus on the role of social enterprise in modernising public services: "Not as some would crudely claim, a latter day drive for privatisation, instead a new partnership between public, private, not-for-profit and voluntary sectors in a drive to make excellence available to all." He indicated that having opened up public services to the private sector, greater inclusion of social enterprises was the logical next step. Nigel Griffiths' speech also focused on this issue but was more up front about the weaknesses of public private partnerships and admitted that high pricing remained a problem, and "social enterprises could help in this regard."
The conference provided an excellent opportunity for Manchester to showcase its social enterprises to the rest of the country, although in main speeches,references to local enterprises were limited to the Big Life Co and Unicorn Grocery, recently capturing lots of publicity having won several awards.
Manchester Social Enterprise Forum (0161 839 9033)
MCC Going Greenest? - the Council aims to become "Britain's Greenest City" but what do you think? Full Council resolution available.
100 Days - Raising a valid point or being environmental terrorists?
4x4 Spells Double Trouble - Environmentalists find public support for SUVs to pay double the city centre parking charges
Political EDMs - Get your MP to sign the Action Against Irresponsible Motorists EDM
Cycle Lanes - Who are they for?
Working Together to Make Poverty History - Fallowfield and Withington Christian Aid supporters unite to wipe out debt
Dirty Aid, Dirty Water - Would you drink the Irwell?
BTCV & Mersey Valley Countryside Volunteering Days - Explore the wonders of Mersey Valley whilst making a difference to your local environment
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