Issue - meetings

Report from the Assistant Chief Executive.

Recommendations:

1.    That the annual report is received noting the increased social value commitments along with outcomes achieved.

2.    That Cabinet agree the following key priorities for 2023 include:

a.    Continue to embed the foundations of strong social value delivery through contract manager and  ...  view the full agenda text for item 141

Consideration was given to the report which set out the key achievements over the year to the end of November 2022 and identified priority areas of work for 2023. Those priorities would further embed social value to secure the best possible outcomes and returns for the people of Rotherham.

It  ...  view the full minutes text for item 141

Report from the Assistant Chief Executive.

Recommendations:

1.    That the annual report is received noting the increased social value commitments along with outcomes achieved.

2.    That Cabinet agree the following key priorities for 2023 include:

a.    Continue to embed the foundations of strong social value delivery through contract manager and supplier learning and development, tools and evaluation.

b.    Support new and existing businesses to enter into new markets, from which the Council buys goods and services through the work of Rotherham Investment and Development Office and meet the buyer events.

c.     Hold a Social Value celebration event for suppliers to showcase impact and inspire others.

d.    Formally launch Rotherham Social Value Anchor Networks to raise awareness and engagement of more partners.

The Chair welcomed the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive to the meeting. The Leader introduced the report outlining that the social value policy was introduced approximately three years ago. It set out a number of objectives to get best use of external spend with suppliers, value for money and maximise the benefits for Rotherham community and businesses. The purpose of this was to keep Council spend in the local economy, generating jobs, increasing wages through the commitment to the ‘real living wage’ and trying to raise incomes of low-income households.

It was outlined that there were £13.5m of social value commitments being secured from eligible new Council contracts in the last three years. and more money was being spent within the local and sub-regional economies than before. It was also noted that the Council pressed its suppliers to pay the ‘real living wage’ as a condition of contract. It was noted that new wage rates would be introduced for directly employed staff of £10.19 per hour and this would come into effect from April 1, 2023.

RMBC had developed its own bespoke measurement framework comprising a range of measures, across five themes, and designed to have a positive impact on the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of the Rotherham community:

·       Jobs: Promote Local Skills and Employment.

·       Growth: Supporting Growth of Local and Small Business.

·       Social: Healthier, Safer and more Resilient Communities.

·       Environment: Protecting and Improving Our Environment.

·       Innovation: Promoting Social Innovation

The Chief Executive reflected on the commitments made last year and progress to date. The social value commissioning toolkit has been launched providing guidance and tools for those involved in preparing specifications for contracts to include social value from the beginning of planning through to letting the contract. Training has been undertaken with staff to ensure that social value is considered at an early stage in the process. Work is also underway with the wider Rotherham Together Partnership and the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority to disseminate the Social Value Charter. The importance of working with anchor networks was cited to make sure that partners are working together to make sure as much of the spend could go locally. Progress was being made with examples given of the benefits this initiative had brought including employment opportunities, training and qualifications. These were illustrated through case studies.

The Chair invited questions from Board and a discussion on the following points ensued:

·       Clarification was sought on how engagement with local businesses was undertaken. Details were provided of ‘meet the buyer’ events, how contracts were advertised, and how details of procurement processes were disseminated. Engagement had also taken place with the Chamber of Commerce and Rotherham Pioneers. Information was shared with partners to coordinate activity.

·       For larger contractors, it was felt that there was a good level of awareness about procurement web-based systems. To ensure that local contractors had opportunities to tender, there was a requirement for smaller contracts that one quote has to be provided locally. The Council used  ...  view the full minutes text for item 164