Agenda item

Report of the Director of the Managing Director.

The Cabinet Member with the Efficiency and Resources Portfolio introduced the report of the Managing Director (previously circulated) requesting that consideration be given to the enhanced approach to local wealth building and social value within the Council’s procurement process.

The submitted report stated that the Council had been working with the Darlington Partnership to utilise public sector procurement to help grow the local economy and maximise the benefits of such procurement for the Borough; stated that the cost and quality of the provision of services and products would always remain the major determining factors in public procurement; and that the additionality offered by tenderers would deliver additional benefits at no additional cost to the Council.

Particular references were made to the aims of the proposals which were to increase spend within the local areas to assist in growing the economy and, through the tender evaluation process, incentivise tenderers to deliver additional benefits for the residents and businesses of Darlington, known as social value in areas such as employment of local people; employment of care leavers; a positive impact on local environmental issues; and employment of apprentices.

RESOLVED - (a)  That the Social Value Procurement Framework, as detailed at Appendix 2 of the submitted report, be approved.

(b)  That the Social Value Charter, as detailed at Appendix 3 of the submitted report, be approved.

REASONS - (a)  Enable the Council to continue to meet its obligations under the Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012.

(b)  Deliver a range of additional social, economic and environmental benefits to Darlington’s residents, businesses and the local economy from Council spend without increasing cost to the Council.