FOI request (FOIR-567707499)

Social Value

Requested Thu 07 December 2023
Responded Thu 21 December 2023

Research into Social Value on behalf of Social Enterprise UK

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, for example, 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 'Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprises' or 'Small to Medium sized Enterprises', please share this.

Response

1. https://www.hastings.gov.uk/my-council/policies-strategies/socialvalue/

2. The best value principles as embedded in the draft Best Value Standards and Intervention - statutory guide for best value authorities, is already embedded in Hastings Borough Council's Social Value Policy. The best value principles influence all council decision making as they positively impact financial and non-financial issues.

3. The Public Services (Social Value) Act has been considered to all contracts awarded by the council as appropriate.

4. The council considers each contract on a case-by-case basis with social value having an average value of 10% of quality.

5. Information not held.

6. The authority has used the NATIONAL TOMs FRAMEWORK for social value measurement. Hastings also looks at quantitative as well as qualitative data to assess social value through monetary, and time commitment.

7. Information not held.

8. The council's Senior Leadership Team members have responsibility for ensuring that social value issues are considered when awarding contracts, as appropriate.

9. Training is available for all relevant staff on the council's policy regarding social value.

10. This information and more is available as a CSV file for all supplies in excess of £250:

https://www.hastings.gov.uk/my-council/transparency/budgets/