social value
Social value can unlock billions to help communities flourish
A new report from Social Enterprise UK has highlighted a huge opportunity to realise £56bn a year through better public sector procurement, says Chris White.
Consistent craving
Ministerial decisions to upend long-term policy commitments are the enemy of local economic planning and public service reform, writes Jonathan Werran.
Now's not the time for the UK to roll back on social value
It is too early to follow minister Jacob Rees-Mogg’s suggestion of rolling back the focus on social value and ethical procurement altogether, says Tiia Sammallahti.
Social value must not be a tick box exercise
Mo Baines says councils should not simply apply the principles of the Social Value Act to outsourced contracts, but ‘engage in the spirit and intention of the Act, which is to get the very best outcomes from public money’.
We are only at the foothills of what social value can achieve
Chris White was the driving force behind the Social Value Act. Ten years on, he reflects on its original aims and how its principles can be taken to the next phase.
Leading the way in the recycling revolution
The local government sector has bold ambitions for linking the circular economy and net zero, says project director at Local Partnerships Kristy Spindler.
How the North-East is leading the way in innovative affordable housing delivery
A leaseback funding model with Kajima is helping Newcastle City Council avoid large upfront capital spending while securing the delivery of affordable housing, says Craig Smailes.
Pop a local present under the tree this Christmas
With just 15 shopping days left until Christmas, Kathy O'Leary says her council has been asking residents to shop local for the sake of the economy and the environment.
Buying benefits for communities
Associate director of CLES Tom Lloyd Goodwin looks at how the quest for social value is being approached through making the most of opportunities within local 'anchor institutions'.
Creating true value
Local government must mark a decade of social value with purpose driven procurement, writes chief executive of Localis Jonathan Werran.
The Paralympics and public procurement for the public good
We need to make sure the principles that drove big set piece investments such as London 2012 are reflected in everyday public spending, says Patrick Thomson from the Shaw Trust Foundation.
Long live commissioning
Benjamin Taylor says examples of how commissioning is being used show how important it is to move away from a deficit focus to experimenting and learning how to influence complex systems.
Future Forum North: Key behaviours show what good leadership looks like
GatenbySanderson’s Altitude leadership model benchmarks behavioural excellence for leaders. Seb Lowe and Liaquat Lal explain the 12 behaviours that form the key to successful long-term strategic clarity.
What does the new NPPS mean for councils?
Local authorities should start to look at how the National Procurement Policy Statement can be implemented across their organisations, say Rebecca Rees and Stuart Brown.
Significant procurement challenges lie ahead for districts
Procurement is likely to involved significant challenges for district councils now and in the years ahead, says Ian Miller. 'It remains to be seen whether national or local priorities will govern councils' purchases'.
The potential of new social value measures is huge
The impact of the UK Government’s new social value measures should not be underestimated, as they prioritise what’s important, according to David Dinsdale.
Making things better
If we had more time to step back and think, and less pressure, what would we be building and how would it be better? Professor Donna Hall asks the question.
Procurement proposals lack social value focus
The Government’s Procurement Green Paper has been criticised by Lords for focusing on finance over social value.
Putting social value into procurement
Claire Preston hopes the Social Value Toolkit will promote a ‘whole council’ approach that encourages organisations to put helping care leavers at the heart of procurement.
How can construction deliver more value to support left-behind communities?
Chair of the Institute of Economic Development Bev Hurley puts forward five recommendations to ensure construction can deliver more value to support left-behind communities.
