Issue - meetings

As detailed in the recommendations.

Councillor Johnson introduced the report and explained that generating social value from the Council’s commissioning and procurement activities was the largest contributor to increased social value and remained a key area of focus for the Council.

The report outlined performance date for the full financial year 2021/22, as well as the first six months of 2022/23.

The report also outlined the next steps for implementing the recommendations made and endorsed by Cabinet the previous year.

Councillor Bithell thanked the Social Value Development Officer for the report and complimented her on what had been achieved to date.  In response to a question, the officer explained that each contract was assessed on a number of aspects, including price and quality and anything over £25,000 had social value factored in.  Work was being undertaken to ensure thresholds were in place so that social value was included in all procurement exercises.  In response to a further question, the Social Value Development Officer explained that if an apprentice had not completed the required hours, the completed hours would be carried forward onto another job within the Council.

In response to a comment from Councillor Hughes, the Social Value Development Officer explained that carbon had been part of social value targets for contracts over £1m but where possible carbon measures would be included in smaller contracts.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the positive performance achieved in relation to generating social value during 2021/22, as well as the first six months of 2022/23 be noted; and

(b)       That the next steps proposed be supported.