The unique skills and community benefits of the third sector must not be overlooked by councils looking to improve local public services, Communities Secretary John Denham said today. Many third sector organisations bid to deliver community based local services but Ministers are concerned that too many lack the technical skills or are too small scale to win contracts for council run projects. Speaking at a meeting of council leaders and key third sector organisations Mr Denham said: "In the quest for leaner more efficient services we still need to find ways for councils to take advantage of the positive social outcomes the third sector provides."

The Government also launched a new community enterprise strategic framework to help more local groups set up successful local social enterprises today. The framework, announced by Barbara Follett at the Funding the Future conference, sets out how Government will help put community enterprises onto a stronger footing with more support, skills training and advice such as how to set up consortiums or franchises to increase their competitive clout when bidding for council contracts.

CLG is also setting up a website with practical information on starting and developing community enterprises, and training advisors who will be available to provide expert advice, to view this please click here.