Doing business with the council

We have made steps to highly value social impact within its internal functions and the wider community. The borough recognises that social value goes beyond the delivery of services. It aims to impact the lives of its residents and businesses positively.

We think about how we can socially, economically, and environmentally benefit our communities. This includes creating job opportunities and promoting skills development. The council is dedicated to environmental sustainability by reducing carbon emissions and waste.

We collaborate closely with local businesses, community groups, and voluntary organisations to create a thriving environment where social value is important. Through partnerships, the borough supports initiatives that enhance educational opportunities, improve public spaces, and tackle social challenges. We work towards a better quality of life for all residents and support economic growth.

Our dedication to embedding social value across the organisation and the community highlights its commitment to fostering a vibrant and inclusive borough.

Incorporating Social Value

Social Value within the Council has been embedded and mandated into our commissioning and procurement processes to generate genuine and measurable benefits codesigned with our residents and communities.

Importance of Suppliers Implementing Social Value:

Suppliers play a crucial role in delivering Social Value. By incorporating Social Value in their bids, they can demonstrate their commitment to working with us to create a positive impact on our community. The Council considers a supplier's Social Value proposition as part of its overall evaluation of the bid. Suppliers offering the most significant Social Value proposition will more likely secure the contract.

Benefits of Implementing Social Value:

Incorporating Social Value in bids can benefit both the Council and the supplier. For the Council, it helps to achieve its strategic objectives, such as promoting social inclusion, economic growth, and environmental sustainability.

For suppliers, it provides an opportunity to:

• differentiate themselves from their competitors
• build stronger relationships with the Council
• demonstrate their commitment to social responsibility

Examples of Social Value

Social Value can be achieved in many ways. For instance, suppliers can:

• provide training and employment opportunities for local people
• reduce carbon emissions and waste
• support local charities and community initiatives

We encourage our suppliers to be creative and think outside the box when proposing social value initiatives.

Measuring and Reporting Social Value

We use bespoke National TOMs (Themes, Outcomes, and Measures) framework to measure the social value created by our procurement activities. The TOMs framework provides a standard approach to measuring social value, allowing us to compare the outcomes of different projects and contracts.

We report our social value outcomes through the Social Value Portal. The portal is a digital platform that will enable us to capture, monitor, and report on the social value created by our procurement activities. Using the TOMs framework and the Social Value Portal, we can demonstrate the impact of our procurement activities on the community. This ensures that we deliver value for money. The Social Value Portal also helps us be transparent and accountable about the social value created through our procurement activities.

At the London Borough of Waltham Forest, we recognise the critical role that Social Value plays in achieving our strategic objectives. Working collaboratively with suppliers can positively impact our community while delivering value for every public pound spent. We encourage our suppliers to embrace Social Value and factor it into their bids.

Social Value Strategy and Policy

We have effectively implemented a Social Value Policy and have created Social Value reports to ensure the maximum benefits of public funds to the communities of Waltham Forest. The reports accurately measure the impact of initiatives/programs on the community and determine their ability to achieve the desired outcomes.

The local authority has successfully engaged with stakeholders and community members. We have gained valuable insights into what matters most to the people of Waltham Forest. This has enabled us to develop a policy that truly reflects the community's needs and priorities. By prioritising social value, the local authority can significantly contribute to building a stronger, more resilient, and equitable community for everyone in Waltham Forest.

Social Value Policy 2021-2025 (PDF) outlines the borough's objectives to achieve greater social, environmental, and economic benefits in the future.

Social Impact Report 2020-2022 (PDF) highlights our commitment to social value and sustainability. It showcases positive results from our policies and initiatives for the community.

Social Value Annual Statement 2023/24 (PDF) is a testament to our commitment to transparency and accountability. It's a platform where we showcase our successes, setbacks, and future plans.

The impact an organisation/project has on the local community and society can be determined by the crucial factor of social value. Within the council, social value has the potential to provide numerous benefits to residents and businesses in the borough, making it essential to prioritise it effectively.

Boosting the local economy: By implementing social value initiatives, the borough can reap numerous economic benefits, including:

• the creation of employment opportunities
• promotion of local enterprises
• attraction of investments
• contributing to economic progress
• enhanced well-being of the community.

Improving community wellbeing: Efforts aimed at promoting social value have proven effective in enhancing residents' health and overall wellbeing. These initiatives not only improve access to healthcare but also encourage healthy habits and provide support to vulnerable members of the community.

Enhancing the environment: A better local environment can be achieved by effectively implementing social value initiatives. Necessary measures to take include:

• The establishment of green spaces
• The reduction of pollution
• The promotion of sustainable practices

Fostering community cohesion: Promoting cultural events, supporting local volunteer groups, and providing opportunities for social interaction. This can truly unite people and foster a strong sense of community.

Social value can have a significant positive impact on Waltham Forest and its communities. By prioritising social value, we can create a more thriving, healthy, and cohesive community. Overall, social value will ensure a better quality of life for all its residents.