This report sets out for approval a revised Social Value Policy to address issues identified in a review and to incorporate new procurement legislation and the National Procurement Policy Statement.

The Committee considered a report on a refresh of a Social Value Policy and related national Themes, Outcomes, Measures (TOMs) framework, which had been introduced to ensure the Council achieved best social value from its contracts.  The Policy had delivered 42 procurements, which had been recorded as providing benefits for the community through social value.  However, a review in 2023 had identified that a standard approach was not used consistently and that there were several issues with the measurement matrix; the main issue being that supporting documentation on proxy values had not been fully implemented.

The report stated that, in February 2025, new procurement legislation for all public service organisations would come into force and would be supported by a new National Procurement Policy Statement (NPPS) with the intention to deliver value for money, economic growth, and social value.  The report recommended a revision to the Council’s current Social Value Policy to address the issues identified in the review and to bring in the revised legislation and focus of the NPPS, specifically aiming to:

•         Increase the benefits delivered through social value from Council contracts.

•         Make Council contracts more accessible to local small businesses and third sector organisations.

•         Contribute to the Council’s aim to be a Carbon Neutral town by 2030.

New supporting guidance, templates and registers had been developed to aid the introduction of the proposed revised policy.

The report had appended draft versions of the refreshed Social Value Policy 2024 and the Social Value Matrix and also included the Review of Social Value in Contracts.

Resolved –

(1)      That the revised Social Value Policy, as attached to the report at Appendix 1, be adopted;

(2)      That the Executive Director of Resources, in consultation with the Lead Councillor for Corporate Services and Resources, be authorised to make minor changes to the policy to ensure it aligned with any late changes to the new legislative requirements;

(3)      That the development of supporting guidance and register to aid the implementation of the new policy be noted.