Since the Social Value Act came into force in 2013 there has been a requirement to focus on how the construction industry creates social value. While the act applies to the public sector, many private clients are also taking social benefits into account when awarding construction contracts.
Construction produces huge amounts of social value for local communities, the local economy and the environment, but it is difficult to define, capture and report on this value creation.
But “Building Social Value” is a new and simple way to report on the social value created through construction, launched by the Considerate Constructors Scheme for all CCS-registered sites, companies and suppliers.
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Building Social Value aims to provide clients and the public with a much-needed understanding of the extent to which a project has created opportunities for long-term social value.
According to the CCS, the scheme can deliver a consistent approach, strengthen competitive advantage in tendering, support the planning process and enhance corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes.
Scheme monitors visiting construction sites will now be able to record the social value created, using a social value monitoring checklist. The monitor will then produce a report based on the results.
Completing the report allows contractors and clients to recognise that gaining a professional, third-party report will help them to evaluate the impact of their construction sites in creating social value.
The measurement system has been developed in conjunction with leading construction companies and clients, including Basildon Borough Council, Kier, Land Securities Group, and Morgan Sindall.
Clive Johnson, group head of health and safety at Land Securities, commented: “We greatly value this service, as does our extensive supply chain. It gives us a cost-effective and independent means of measuring social value from our many developments across the UK.
“I would recommend all clients to take advantage of this facility if they wish to play a leading role in delivering the best possible social value to the communities they conduct their businesses within.”
Basildon Borough Council’s asset strategy manager, Daniel Greenwood, added: “Social value plays a central role in all our procurement activity and having a consistent and robust way to measure outcomes has been a constant challenge. Building Social Value really adds confidence that projects are delivering on our promises to the community.”
The Building Social Value visit and report costs £280 + VAT, with additional visits and reports to provide updates during construction available for £170 + VAT. More details at www.buildingsocialvalue.org.uk
