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The significance of social value for local communities is not just about compliance but a reflection of a local authority’s capability to serve its communities and residents effectively.  

Regulations like the new Procurement Act 2023 have made social value even more essential to local government procurement. It is thus vital for organisations that bid for contracts with the public sector to exemplify their offering in this area.  

At LHC, our new social value strategy places it as a key element of our vision to improve lives and places through quality procurement solutions. Being the not-for-profit providers of high-quality procurement solutions, the strategy will complement our solution delivery to all public sector organisations by enhancing added value and supporting them to maximise public benefit from their procurement activity. 

To put this social awareness into practice, address societal challenges, and deliver sustainable, impactful change, we are collaborating with HACT – a leading charity in the social housing sector. Being pioneers in social value development, HACT will help us embed this in our processes from beginning to end and ensure it is at the core of our decision-making. 

“LHC has always been committed to delivering tangible social value and community benefits in meeting local and regional needs,” said group managing director Clive Feeney. “This is a fundamental part of our organisation’s DNA, and it has become even more of a focus for us since transitioning to a CLG in April 2023. 

“This partnership with HACT is an exciting next step for us as it will allow us to reach even more clients and suppliers that want to enhance their social value offering. 

“There is much synergy between HACT and LHC, having each served the social housing sector for more than 50 years. We share a passion for enhancing people’s lives through improved social housing and exist to support registered providers to leave a legacy beyond just bricks and mortar. 

“We will be working together to provide strategic advice in this area, drawing on the strength of expertise from both teams.” 

LHC operates across five different geographical areas with each regional business unit operating under a distinct localised brand and our approach to social value will be flexible enough to meet the needs and aspirations of our customers and communities across the UK.  

The 2023 Procurement Act emphasises community benefit as a key element of public sector procurement to help support local communities. To maximise the impact of our strategy we will be collaborating with all our stakeholders, engaging them on both the process and the outcomes of delivering social value into communities.  

Clive added: “This will be a big year for public sector procurement as the Procurement Act comes into force, bringing with it new laws. Fortunately for us, many of the reforms are already well embedded into our process.  

“By partnering with HACT, we aim to dramatically increase the social value impact of our projects to benefit both clients and suppliers alike.”        

One of our strengths at LHC is the diversity of our supply chain and we will ensure that the small local suppliers are guided through the social value process so that they understand that both the scale and level of impact are proportionate and achievable. We will also support and guide the suppliers on what they need to do to shape and deliver it. 

Andrew Van Doorn, Chief Executive at HACT, sums it up perfectly: “Social value is so much more than a figure on a page. It is a commitment to create an impact in everything you do, taking it from transactional to transformational and truly delivering on your social purpose and the difference you can make to individuals.”