Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: February 5, 2026

Purpose: To present the Corporate Social Value Framework for approval and the plan for implementing the framework for noting.

Content: The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Corporate Services, which sought approval of the Corporate Social Value Framework. The report also informed of the plan to implement the framework.   The Head of Corporate Policy, Performance and Improvement was in attendance to present the information and to address questions and comments of the Cabinet Members.   The Officer informed that the Framework had been developed as a supplementary document to the Corporate Commissioning Strategy and set out the Council’s definition of social value, its six social value priorities, and the approach to embedding social, economic and environmental benefits within procurement activity.   The Framework aimed to strengthen consistency, improve understanding across services, and maximise the wider community benefits that could be achieved through commissioned goods, works and services. It aligned with the Social Value Act 2012, the Procurement Act 2023 and provided a structured methodology for evaluating, monitoring and enhancing social value commitments.   The report also outlined plans for implementation, including recruitment of a temporary Social Value Officer, development of a brokerage process to match community social value requests with supplier offers, and support from Social Value Delivery Champions across priority areas. The Framework was expected to contribute positively to inclusive economic growth, local employment, environmental sustainability and support for the (Voluntary, Community, Faith, Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector.   Resolved: 1.     That the Corporate Social Value Framework as seat out in Appendix 1 to the report be approved; 2.     That the plan for the implementation of the Social Valeu Framework be noted.   Reason for decision: The Corporate Social Value Framework had been developed as a supplementary document to the Corporate Commissioning Strategy, focused on this aspect of the procurement process.   The framework set out the council’s definition of social value. This included an explanation of the different types of social value, the social value priorities for Rochdale Council, the council’s approach to social value. This meant how it would be included in tenders and how it would be evaluated. The council’s ambition to improve how social value would be monitored and measured. How the council would work to provide more information to suppliers about the exact types of social value needed in the communities.   The Corporate Social Value Framework would support the council to maximise the benefits that social value could deliver. It would help to increase the understanding and knowledge of this part of the procurement process and provide more consistency in how social value was being applied across the organisation.   Alternatives considered and rejected: That the Corporate Social Value Framework was not endorsed, and the council continued to operate in the current manner regarding obtaining and implementing social value.   Should the framework and plan for implementation not be approved, the council would not benefit from the improvements that were outlined in this report – namely that there would be better understanding, application and delivery of social value.