Social value in procurement

The New Local Government Network (NLGN) has published a document about use of the social value within procurement. The report is based on a workshop held in Birmingham in December 2016, with attendees from local authorities and the private sector. It looks at the background to including social value in procurement processes, as well as how its aims can best be achieved in practice.

The Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012 requires commissioners in public authorities to have regard to economic, social and environmental well-being when buying public services. Public bodies are now encouraged to make social value a consideration and look for providers who can also deliver value to the local community for minimal or no additional cost. Almost four years after its enactment, more councils are adopting the Social Value Act in their commissioning – however uptake has been slow and patchy both within and across local authorities.

http://www.nlgn.org.uk/public/2017/social-value-in-procurement/