Issue - meetings

As detailed in the recommendations.

            Councillor Mullin introduced the Social Value report which sought approval of a draft Social Value Procurement Policy which would create an enabling framework to strengthen the approach to generating social value through the Council’s procured expenditure.

            The Council had a strategic commitment to delivering greater social value through the work that it did, which meant getting greater benefits to Flintshire communities as a result of its expenditure and service delivery.

            The revised Strategy challenged partners, services and suppliers to consider how they could generate additional value for the communities of Flintshire and how that could be measured.  The long term goals were outlined in the report, alongside details of the major opportunities where significant social value could be included in the programme, which were:

·         The future procurement of Council home construction;

·         The redevelopment of Theatr Clwyd;

·         The 21^st Century Schools programme;

·         The expansion of Marleyfield House; and

·         Future investment by Aura.

The Chief Officer (Social Services) explained that the main areas of social value delivery in the next 12 months would include:

·         Support for Flintshire’s food poverty programme;

·         Reducing fuel poverty;

·         Support to reduce energy use and waste;

·         Improving biodiversity;

·         Support for the Armed Forces Covenant;

·         Promoting equality of opportunity;

·         Providing apprenticeship and work experience opportunities;

·         Increasing the use of local companies in the supply chain;

·         Reducing homelessness;

·         Active travel and community transport;

·         Digital inclusion and connectivity;

·         Supporting dementia friendly initiatives; and

·         Support for the WeMindTheGap programme.

The Council would work closely with suppliers and contractors to ensure tangible benefits were delivered towards those themes.

Details of two case studies, the development of the new Adult Day Care Centre in Shotton and the delivery of domestic energy efficiency improvements for fuel-poor households, were given in the report.

Councillor Bithell welcomed the report, particularly the areas for delivery in the next 12 months, which saw links with Council priorities, such as the response to the challenge of climate change and the achievement of carbon neutrality by 2030.

In response to a question from Councillor Thomas, the Chief Officer (Governance) explained the regional procurement arrangements.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the progress made to date in delivering social value in Flintshire be noted, and the proposed next steps be endorsed; and

(b)       That the draft Social Value Procurement Policy be endorsed.