Local authorities looking for innovative new ways of delivering services to deal with the drive for more responsive services in a tight financial climate are turning to social enterprise companies. The inclusion of social enterprises among those bidding for contracts is also stimulating other contractors to come up with innovative solutions. Social enterprises can range from local recycling projects, credit unions, and art studios to the Big Issue magazine and Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen restaurants.

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Over 250 12-14 year olds from around the UK appeared in Leeds Magistrates’ Court on Saturday 21st June 2008. They were taking part in the National Final of the Magistrates’ Court Mock Trial Competition run by the Citizenship Foundation in partnership with the Magistrates’ Association.

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This article describes a project in the United States designed to allow the public to assess how well local councils are performing.

The general public assesses the performance of councils by indicators that differ from those used by councils themselves. They are not concerned about throughput or operational statistics, which councils and central government consider vital. Their concern is the outcome and this is the measure of success. The gap in information flow and communication between the public and local councils probably accounts for the feeling expressed frequently about powerlessness to affect changes in services.

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