25 Feb 2013
Making the Social Value Act work for you
At a time when government spending is being cut back but the demand for public services is inexorably increasing, it is important to extract the most from every pound of public money spent.
From the contractor building new homes and business premises to the printer who supplies the leaflets and flyers telling us all what a good job is being done, the decisions public bodies make about the people they do business with can have a huge knock-on effect in communities. Take the right decision and you can create apprenticeships and jobs and put extra money into the most disadvantaged neighbourhoods whilst supporting social enterprises.
For social value to be successfully specified, procured, delivered and measured, commissioners and purchasing managers need to understand their legal position, and have the guidelines and support they need to be effective. In addition, social enterprises and other social venture suppliers need to understand the frameworks within which commissioning and procurement managers act, and what social entrepreneurs need to do to be viable suppliers.
Developed by a unique and expert partnership consisting of Bates Wells and Braithwaite, Inspire2Enterprise, and the E3M network, the national launch of the Bold Procurement initiative will take place at the Growing Successful Social Enterprise conference being held in Kettering on Monday 4 March 2013.
In this special session participants will be guided by legal experts through the Social Value Act and UK and EU procurement law to examine the opportunities that public sector commissioners and procurement managers have to gain social value, as well as best value goods and services.
To find out more about the session, and to reserve your place, click here.
I look forward to meeting you there.
Carol Deslandes
Head of Strategic Development
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