The Public Services (Social Value) Act that comes into effect in January 2013 will require public bodies to consider how the services they commission will impact on the wider community, measuring value for money not just financially, but also socially, economically and environmentally. The Social Enterprise UK guide is aimed at commissioners and procurement officials, providing an overview of the Act and practical guidance on how social value can be embedded into the commissioning and procurement process.
The new guide was launched at Social Enterprise UK’s Social Value Conference on the 20th November, with lawyers Mark Cook and Gayle Monk from Anthony Collins Solicitors delivering a seminar on how best to utilise the guide.
Mark Cook said: “It is essential that public sector commissioners and procurement officials know exactly how to put this policy change into practice. Recent research demonstrates that there is a strong appetite amongst public bodies for delivering increased social value, although a very high percentage of authorities feel that they lack the experience required to develop this approach further.
“With the right knowledge and support, commissioners can learn how to embed a culture of social value into their procurement processes, feeling confident that they know what to do and when, and ensuring that the social value approach is bespoke to each and every contract. One great benefit of the Social Value Act is that it helps authorities align their activities with local needs, shaping their services in a way that is likely to have the biggest impact on the surrounding community.”
It has been another difficult few weeks for many of us, especially those who find themselves under tier 3 restrictions.
We have submitted our response to the White Paper Consultation based on the discussion held at the “Planning for the Future - what does this mean for affordable housing” webinar we held on Fri 9 Oct
Anthony Collins Solicitors is pleased to have been ranked as a Band 1 firm once again.
Since March 2020, commercial property owners and occupiers across many sectors, whether housing associations, charities, care providers or local authorities, have been impacted by the rules regulating how they deal with their tenants and their landlords. It seems each week there is a change in policy, regulation or legislation, governing how they must respond.
On 18 September 2020, the High Court gave its decision regarding the Judicial Review of Simply Learning Tutor Agency Ltd & Others v Secretary of State for Business.
A key element of the Bill is the establishment of a duty holder regime and requirement to maintain the ‘golden thread of information’ throughout the life cycle of high-risk residential buildings
We have been working with care homes to update their contracts and advise on the risks of charging the resident a regular “top-up” or additional fee where a resident is funded through NHS CHC
The parliamentary processes are complete and the Restriction of Public Exit Payments Regulations 2020 (“the Regulations”) which cap exit payments in the public sector at £95,000 will be in force from 4 November.
As the UK’s social housing sector recovers from the initial Covid-19 outbreak and lockdown, now is the time to focus on the challenges that may emerge next.
To receive invitations to our events, as well as information and articles on legal issues and sector developments that are of interest to you, please sign up to Newsroom.