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Case study – Delivering social value in Norfolk through their supplier partners

Norfolk County Council

Figure 29: Delivering social value in Norfolk

Huge gains for your local community by treating social value as a priority from the outset of your
relationship with your supplier, and encouraging them to be open to ideas on how to deliver it.

Summary

• Social value is not a challenge; it is an opportunity
• Speak to suppliers early and ask them what they can offer

• This is an opportunity to build a better long-term relationship with a supplier and achieve
outcomes in your region by working together

The problem

Social value is an important aspect of public procurement for local authorities in the UK. The
Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012requires local authorities to demonstrate social value when

procuring suppliers; and yet, there is a lack of guidance to help public officials make this happen.

Equally, not all suppliers know how to address the social value requirements mandated in tender
documents. This results in lost opportunities for social value to be demonstrated and the benefits
resulting gained in communities.

80 Procurement guidelines for smart sustainable cities | May 2023