Issue - meetings

The Scrutiny & Elections Officer advised Members of the progress to date in implementing the recommendations.  Two out of six recommendations had been achieved to date and officers from the Leader’s Executive and Partnerships Team, Leisure and Development were engaged in the integration of social value.  Further work was taking place with officers in the Procurement team to ensure that policies reflect the agreed way forward.  The Officer reminded Members that during the course of the Review a draft Social Value Policy had been produced with further work required during the monitoring and implementation phase.  Subsequent to the approval of the recommendations by Executive, the opportunity to complete a Business Process Review (BPR) of the Council’s social value approach in procurement had arisen.  The Council had secured support from the LGA to complete this. This had identified the need for a whole Council approach to embedding social value.  Although completing the additional review would mean a 6-to-12-month delay in completion of the policy, it would ensure a whole council approach in the long-term leading to better outcomes.

A Councillor noted that ‘Social Value’ was very much a current buzz word, and they were aware that not everyone was on board with the concept.  They queried if the message on the importance of the concept was being conveyed correctly by officers and Members leading on this area.  They also stated it was vital that the Council clearly communicated any successes in relation to social value outcomes.

The Director agreed with the sentiment and confirmed full buy-in to the concept was essential to ensure that a whole Council approach and achievements could be celebrated.

The Scrutiny & Elections Officer confirmed that the monitoring period could be extended to allow completion of the Policy and the Director agreed this was the best approach.

Moved by Councillor Derek Adams and seconded by Councillor David Dixon

RESOLVED that (1) the progress against the review recommendations be noted,

(2) Members acknowledge any exceptions to delivery and clarify the additional action required by the service be acknowledged,

(3) Scrutiny Members make their report and findings public, in accordance with Part 4.5.17(4) of the Council’s Constitution,

(4) Officers continue to implement the recommendations and a final report in six months’ time highlighting exceptions to delivery be submitted.

(Scrutiny & Elections Officer)