TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR PROCUREMENT, SOCIAL VALUE AND COMMUNITY WEALTH BUILDING MEMBER WORKING GROUP

1. Name

Procurement, Social Value and Community Wealth Building Working Group.

2. Purpose

(i) To carry out a thorough investigation into the events leading to changes to Domestic Abuse, Domestic Violence and Sexual Violence service arrangements in January 2021.

(ii) To review the Council’s policy and practice regarding social value and community wealth-building from a commissioning and procurement perspective including the above-mentioned services.

(ii) To recommend to Policy & Resources Committee any necessary changes and actions for improvement

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3. Status

The Procurement, Social Value and Community Wealth Building Member Working Group (the MWG) shall be an advisory board to the Policy & Resources Committee. The Board will not have subcommittee status and the political balance rules in section 15 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 will not apply. However, it is expected that the Board will be established on a cross party basis

4. Areas of focus

1. The first meeting of the MWG will review the background and process leading to the contract award decisions relating to the Domestic Abuse, Domestic Violence and Sexual Violence service contracts in January 2021. The MWG will seek representations from survivors and representative organisations and will involve their accounts in its deliberations. Arrangements will be made in order that anonymity can be requested by survivors to allow them to participate without fear.

2. Subsequent meetings of the MWG will consider how the Council’s social value framework is reflected in the procurement of contracts and services and how this should be achieved in future.

5. Reporting

The MWG will report to Policy & Resources Committee, with recommendations as appropriate, which may include changing or improving policy and practice in ensuring social value benefits are achieved in the procurement of contracts and services. 

6. Membership

The Chair of the MWG will be appointed from the largest political group, unless Policy & Resources Committee has made other express provision.

Membership of the MWG shall consist of 5 elected Members, following nominations by their Group Leaders to reflect the political composition of the Council.

MWGs are expected to achieve consensus where possible, however the Chair shall have the right to exercise a casting vote.

The political groups may change any of its nominees or provide substitutes for any of its nominees to the MWG.

7. Quorum

A minimum of two MWG members, inclusive of the Chair, are required for the MWG meetings to proceed.

8. Meetings and ways of working

It is anticipated that the MWG will meet no more than 4 times, however, in order that the work of MWG is pursued to an adequate level, it may be felt necessary to hold more meetings than this; the MWG will be supported by the Chief Executive to complete its final report within three months.

The MWG will agree ways of working appropriate to the role and remit of the Group.

8. Review

This is an ad hoc Member Working Group established for a limited time. The work of the Group is expected to finish by July 2021 when it will report back to the P&R Committee.