Freedom of information response

Social Value

Publication date: 
Thursday 21 March 2024
Request: 

I am writing to request information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and would be very grateful for your help please.

1. A copy or link to the Authority’s social value policy, strategy, framework or similar document (or a link to it) if there is one. And latest annual report/annual statement, or update, if available.

2. Has the Authority applied the concept of social value more widely than the revised best value guidance? And if so, details about how.

3. The percentage of the Authority’s tenders over the past 12 months where the Public Services (Social Value) Act has been applied where it could have been applied (that is to say, how much use does the Authority make of the Act).

4. Where social value is included in contracts, the average weighting that it is given in scoring across those contacts.

5. A copy or link to any evaluation or estimation of social value commitment made at both the contracting stage and at social value delivery stage, as a result of the Authority’s application of the Social Value Act. 

6. What calculator(s) has the Authority adopted to calculate social value?

7. What proportion of council spend is used to draw down social value?

8. Where does responsibility for social value sits within the Authority, e.g. with the head of procurement or with a cabinet member? Which departments have staff whose role includes “social value” outside the procurement department? 

9. Has training taken place for staff? Are there toolkits and resources for staff on social value?

10. Please provide a list of all suppliers of council goods, services and works last financial year. Where possible, please include details including company registration number, postcode/location, sector. If you hold data on which suppliers are VCSEs or SMEs, please share this.

Response: 

1. A copy or link to the Authority’s social value policy, strategy, framework or similar document (or a link to it) if there is one. And latest annual report/annual statement, or update, if available.

Information not held.

2. Has the Authority applied the concept of social value more widely than the revised best value guidance? And if so, details about how.

No.

3. The percentage of the Authority’s tenders over the past 12 months where the Public Services (Social Value) Act has been applied where it could have been applied (that is to say, how much use does the Authority make of the Act).

Information not held.

4. Where social value is included in contracts, the average weighting that it is given in scoring across those contacts.

Weightings are applied proportionate to the requirements of the contract.

5. A copy or link to any evaluation or estimation of social value commitment made at both the contracting stage and at social value delivery stage, as a result of the Authority’s application of the Social Value Act. 

Information not held.

6. What calculator(s) has the Authority adopted to calculate social value?

No calculators are used.

7. What proportion of council spend is used to draw down social value?

Information not held.

8. Where does responsibility for social value sits within the Authority, e.g. with the head of procurement or with a cabinet member? Which departments have staff whose role includes “social value” outside the procurement department?

Information not held.

9. Has training taken place for staff? Are there toolkits and resources for staff on social value?

Information not held.

10. Please provide a list of all suppliers of council goods, services and works last financial year. Where possible, please include details including company registration number, postcode/location, sector. If you hold data on which suppliers are VCSEs or SMEs, please share this.

Information not held.

Request reference:
FOI 13547