Issue - meetings

Report of the Chief Executive

Recommendations:-

1.      That approval be given to the Social Value Policy.

2.      That the adoption of the social value portal as the method to measure social value be approved.

3.      That the ‘Keep It Local’ principles be adopted.

Consideration was given to the report which sought approval for the Rotherham Council Social Value Policy and Framework.  The Policy set out the ways in which the Council aimed to maximise the local impact of its spend through its commissioning and procurement processes and work with partners and suppliers.

The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 61

Cabinet Portfolio:                 Leader of the Council

Strategic Directorate:           Chief Executive

Consideration was given to a report submitted by the Chief Executive which introduced the proposed Social Value Policy that was to be determined by the Cabinet at its meeting on 21 October 2019.

It was reported that the policy set out the ways in which the Council aimed to maximise the local impact of its spend through its commissioning and procurement processes and work with partners and suppliers. The key elements of the policy were to:

·         Raise the living standards of Rotherham residents and commit to working towards the Joseph Rowntree Living Wage

·         Increase the proportion of the council’s expenditure which goes to local businesses and providers rather than those elsewhere in the country.

·         Build social value into all council contracts (in excess of £100,000) and maximise the impact gained from every pound spent and introduce a rigorous system for assessing and measuring social value.

·         Commit to the principle of co-designing services wherever possible.

It was further reported that the Council planned to take steps to increase the amount of additional Social Value from its contracts and commissioned services by securing Social Value in every contract above a £100,000 threshold. It  would ensure that when the Council invited written quotations – where possible - at least one of the quotes would be from a Rotherham organisation and, where that was not possible, from Sheffield City Region. The Council also aimed to increase over time the proportion of its spend with local businesses and organisations and to open up opportunities for more co-designed services through its commissioning and procurement processes. The Social Value Framework set out the methodology for measuring Social Value through the procurement process. It was framed around six high level outcomes. These were:-

·         Raising living standards for residents

·         A strong local economy with employment and skills opportunities and a growing business base

·         Young people have the opportunity to develop skills and find worthwhile employment

·         Equality of opportunity for disadvantaged people and communities including disabled people

·         Strengthened and sustainable community and voluntary organisations

·         Greater environmental sustainability including accessible green public spaces.

Members noted that Social Value returns would be monitored and reported on an annual basis. The first year of the policy would be a baseline year with targets set subsequently to increase the amount of Social Value secured.

In reviewing the proposed policy, Members sought assurances as to how the Council would ensure that the policy would be adhered to where sub-contractors were involved. In response, it was explained that the CLES would analyse and review the supply chain and identify through the framework how much money would go through the local supply chain  

The Board welcomed the opportunity for young to develop skills and employment through the policy and framework. Following on, the Chief Executive confirmed that suppliers would need to demonstrate commitments to young people and the Council would need to see evidence against social value outcomes. To this end, suppliers would need to think creatively and provide assurance as to how they would bring forward  ...  view the full minutes text for item 76