The UK Green
Building Council (UKGBC) has released its latest guidance document,
detailing how local authorities can help ensure that new construction and
property development in their area positively impacts people and communities by
delivering social value.
‘Driving
social value in new development: Options for local authorities’ is a
comprehensive set of recommendations for local authorities, based on research
and consultation with local government, businesses and not-for-profit experts.
It is a detailed
exploration of the policy mechanisms that can be used by local authorities to
specify and ensure social value outcomes. Such outcomes include jobs and
economic growth, health and wellbeing, environmental sustainability and
strength of community.
John Alker, Director
of Policy and Places at UKGBC said: “Ever since Government introduced the
Social Value Act a few years ago, this topic has been rising up the agenda of
both local authorities and private sector. However, there is still a long way
to go before we fully grasp the opportunities presented by the concept,
particularly in relation to development and regeneration.
“With the acute
funding pressures faced by local authorities, as well as the growing interest
in social impact investing and socially responsible business, there are strong
drivers for public and private sector to work together to maximise the benefits
from new development to local communities.”
The guidance covers
the use of social value requirements in:
- Local government
procurement that relates to new development
- Local planning
policy
- The disposal of
local authority land
The document is
available in UKGBC’s popular presentation resource format which allows local
authorities to easily incorporate the organisation’s research into their own
material. As a live resource, the guidance will be updated periodically to
reflect policy changes, latest thinking and new case studies. UKGBC is
welcoming approaches from local authorities and other organisations wishing to
contribute to the development of this resource.
