Issue - meetings

Draft Social Value Policy

Meeting: 11/03/2020 - Cabinet (Item 115)

115 Draft Social Value Policy pdf icon PDF 120 KB

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods presenting a draft Social Value Policy intended to allow the Council to formalise its definition of Social Value and explain what its adoption will enable the Council to achieve.

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED that:

 

(1)  the draft Social Value Policy be noted and it be agreed for a public consultation to begin

 

(2)  the creation of a Social Value Toolkit be approved, to be made available alongside the policy. This document will be made in collaboration with the community of Gloucester and will identify the specific needs for each ward of the City.

 

(3)  the procurement be approved of services from the Social Value Portal, who will provide support in the creation of a social value toolkit and support on all procurements meeting the criteria of the policy.

 

 

Minutes:

Cabinet considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods that presented a draft Social Value Policy intended to allow the Council to formalise its definition of Social Value and explain what its adoption will enable the Council to achieve.

 

The Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods advised Members that the proposed policy represented a continuation of the Council’s commitment to place communities at the heart of everything it does and empowering them to influence its priorities.  She further advised that it would ensure contractors focus on achieving the right outcomes for the needs of the city and its people.  The Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods commented that it would place Gloucester ahead of other councils and generate a long-term impact.  She proposed an additional recommendation to those in the report that would give contractors additional capacity to deliver effectively.  The Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods noted that the policy could be in place from July, in time to ensure that that funds are targeted in some big contracts to produce great outcomes.  The Cabinet Member for Environment stated that it was an opportunity to focus funds towards areas of deprivation.  The Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure informed members that he believed that the policy would be welcomed by the organisations the Council works with as they all bear a social responsibility.  He highlighted the importance of the intention for the Social Value Toolkit to identify specific needs for each ward as some needs will be not be common across the city.  The Managing Director clarified the financial and legal implications of the report (9.1, 10.1) by stating that the relevant services had been consulted.  The Corporate Director confirmed that they had expressed no concerns. The Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods advised Members that the subscription to the Social Value Portal was £12,000 per annum over three years or £15,000 year by year.  She recommended the latter option and further advised that costs would be absorbed by existing budgets.  The Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy expressed approval that the policy would both empower communities and build self-esteem within them.  The Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods placed it within the context of Gloucester’s strong track record of achievement for communities which she stated were the achievements of the communities themselves.  The Managing Director sought reassurance that a People Impact Assessment would not be required (12.2).  The Head of Communities confirmed that it would not.

 

RESOLVED that:

 

(1)  the draft Social Value Policy be noted and it be agreed for a public consultation to begin

 

(2)  the creation of a Social Value Toolkit be approved, to be made available alongside the policy. This document will be made in collaboration with the community of Gloucester and will identify the specific needs for each ward of the City.

 

(3)  the procurement be approved of services from the Social Value Portal, who will provide support in the creation of a social value toolkit and support on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 115