Social enterprise key to developing and delivering services to local communities 

Social enterprise projects can be at the forefront of the drive by national and local government to encourage communities to become more involved in developing and running services in their local areas.

That was the message from the Chief Executive of London Councils, John O'Brien, in a speech to the LA Connecting London conference today.

Social enterprises are businesses whose profits are put back into improving the services they provide and the lives of people in a local area. Social enterprises can range from local recycling projects, credit unions, and art studios to the Big Issue magazine and Jamie Oliver's Fifteen restaurants.

Mr O'Brien said: "Many social enterprises have developed from communities and work very closely with them. London Councils, the boroughs and social enterprise in London share a common goal - to improve the quality of life in London's communities socially, economically and environmentally.