Shaping Solihull – Everything We Do, Everyone’s Business Meeting Core Objectives for Information, Advice, Advocacy and Support Services in Solihull Partners' Workshop 27 th August 2014

Shaping Solihull – Everything We Do, Everyone’s Business Social Capital, Social Value Liz Welton Head of Shared Procurement Service

The Public Services (Social Value Act) 2012 – What is it? Royal Assent 8 th March 2012 Enacted on 31 st January 2013 Pre-procurement stage of contracts for services Consider how what is to be procured may improve social, environmental and economic well being of the relevant area, how they might secure improvement and consider the need to consult

Where does it apply? To contracting authorities under the Public Contract Regulations (PCR’s) except for Welsh authorities. The Act only applies to public services contracts and framework agreements to which the Public Contract regulations 2006 apply. Must only consider matters which are relevant and proportionate to what is proposed to be procured If there is an urgent need social value can be disregarded – not if the authority caused the urgency.

So what does this mean for Commissioning and Procurement? Opportunity to use procurement power wisely in local economy New descriptor of “pre procurement activity” Consultation Including social considerations in specifications Evaluating against those specifications Working with contract managers and specialist colleagues to ensure delivery of social value

Some good practice so far Solihull has been operating a Business Charter for Social Responsibility since May Of the 15 companies signed up to the charter: 2 are operating graduate schemes. 5 are operating apprenticeship schemes with 6 people in place (1, with 3 people in place, which is linked to a contract for a building project). 1 is operating an ex-offender work placement scheme. 7 are operating work experience / work placement schemes (1 of which is for people with learning difficulties). 1 is operating a mentoring service to school pupils. 1 has increased the number of local people directly employed to 260 (90% of their work force). 1 has provided training to Solihull MBC employees in Customer Services and Team Leading (which in-turn will help the Council provide a better service to residents).

What is relevant to the subject matter for information and advice? Think through how your company could deliver social capital/value in our locality whilst delivering information and advice services, for example: –local employment –increased volunteering –Facilitation of self help networks –Joint/shared training provision –Local supply chains

Be prepared to think differently If the services you may have provided previously would generate more social capital by forming a partnership with other third sector agencies, then approach them Whilst it might be easier and more cost effective to just do things for clients, think of ways you could help them to do them for themselves, if the need arises in the future Do services need to be delivered face to face or would an improved on line presence be more helpful?

Exam Technique –Answer the questions in the format that has been provided for you in the application form –Be succinct and clear in what you are saying. –You can only be scored on evidence you can provide of what you have done already. If you are suggesting innovative ways of delivering services, provide the evidence to support why it is a good idea. –If you don’t understand the questions then ask for clarification

Exam technique 2 –If you feel you are being disadvantaged by the questions you are being asked then explain why that is the case to commissioning/procurement whilst the process is still happening, don’t wait until the end when it will be too late to rectify the issue. –Make sure you understand the weightings against the evaluation criteria as this shows you what is really important to the Council –Do not miss out sections as you will lose marks

Exam technique 3 Do not wait until 5 minutes before the closing date and time to upload your documents. Upload early and keep refining as you get nearer the date. It is better to have submitted a nearly right bid than no bid at all.