Social value

Walsall Council’s published Social Value Policy supports delivery of the Council’s Corporate Plan.

Walsall Council recognises the important role it can play in enabling Social Value through its procurement activity. We are committed to working collaboratively with Partners and Suppliers, to secure benefits for Walsall residents, communities and businesses by integrating economic, environmental and social sustainability into our procurement processes, in accordance with the Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012 ‘the Act’.

Walsall Council intends to further commit itself to Social Value by going beyond the requirements of the Act and implementing our published Social Value Policy, Charter and Themes Outcomes and Measures Framework into all aspects of its commissioning and procurement activity, where it is practicable to do so.

Our overarching intent and ambition is to realise meaningful Social Value benefits from our suppliers, in accordance with the following policy objectives:

• Ensuring that all applicable contracts demonstrate the addition of real Social Value (where relevant and proportionate to do so)
• Promoting equity and fairness by targeting effort towards those in the greatest need or facing the greatest disadvantage
• Promoting the local economy, so that micro, small and medium sized enterprises and the voluntary and community sector in Walsall can thrive.
• Creating and/or promoting local employment, training and inclusive economic sustainability by tackling unemployment in general and targeted to disadvantaged groups
• Raising the living standards and prosperity of local residents by living wage employment, maximise employee access to entitlements and guidance and encourage suppliers to source local labour
• Ensuring ethical sourcing by promoting fair trade and fair pricing policies, tackling modern slavery, child labour, corruption and similar social issues
• Promoting environmental sustainability by reducing wastage and climate impacts, limiting energy consumption, improving and procuring materials from renewable and sustainable sources.
• Building the capacity and sustainability of the voluntary and community sector by accessing and actively supporting local voluntary, community groups and co-operatives.