Social Value and Public Health

Introduction to Social Value Social Value Act in force from 31st January 2013 “the additional benefit to the community from a commissioning/procurement process over and above the direct purchasing of goods, services and outcomes”

What the Act covers Public bodies required to consider how they might improve the economic, social and environmental well-being of the area at the pre-procurement stage of public service commissioning. Public service contracts over £100,000 in value All English and some Welsh bodies have to comply, including local authorities, government departments, NHS Trusts, fire and rescue services and housing associations.

What the Act does not cover contracts under £100,000 in value public work contracts or public supply (goods) contracts

In practice Liverpool ‘beyond’ the Social Value Act, social value taskforce, etc. Croydon Social Value toolkit for Commissioners, committed to maximising social value from commissioning and procurement Torbay all council papers refer to Act Bristol “aware, conscious, exploring” Others unaware? sceptical?

Response 1 - PHE’s spending Duty on PHE to consider how they might improve the economic, social and environmental well-being of the area at the pre-procurement stage of public service commissioning. What does this mean? internships and apprenticeships? environmental impact? living wage? ?

Response 2 – others’ spending SVA as hard lever for PHE to influence spending decisions to take into account public health and wellbeing? What does this mean? could service contracts reduce smoking? could catering contracts improve drug dependency recovery rates? could bus contracts improve obesity? could public art commissions improve exercise? could event management contracts reduce alcohol consumption?

Actions? Review PHE spending? Strategy for influencing council spending? E.g. gather evidence of council behaviour, commission research, develop guidance, work with pioneers, spread understanding, launch challenges?