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National Social Value Taskforce – conference and awards
Getting bigger each year, the sixth annual Social Value Conference will be held in London on Tuesday 13–Wednesday 14 June. This year's conference will explore how we can work towards a social value economy, deliver community-based outcomes through social engagement, tackle challenges related to measurement and proof, and look to where we take the movement next.
Delivered in conjunction with the National Social Value Taskforce (NSVTF), which the LGA founded in 2016, we are pleased to endorse this annual event that helps to showcase the excellent work that councils and our member organisations are doing in relation to social value in this area, often at the forefront of innovation and service delivery.
We would also like to draw your attention to the Social Value Awards which are back for a fifth year. Are you part of an organisation or initiative that is breaking new ground in its delivery of social value? Or maybe you want to nominate someone who is doing great things? Submissions and nominations are open until Friday 14 April.
Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) – 8 per cent of councils say financial constraints could leave them bankrupt
Half of all councils will be cutting spending on services on top of council tax rises. New research from the Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) reveals more than half of councils will be cutting spending on services, increasing commercial investments, or spending reserves to make ends meet in the year ahead. The 2023 State of Local Government Finance report found that these desperate measures are being taken on top of the more than 90% of councils that would also be increasing council tax or increasing fees or charges.
School resource management advisers (SRMAs)
The Department for Education (DfE) is looking to expand its cohort of school resource management advisers (SRMAs) who are contracted, independent experts who have significant experience in the management of resources in the education sector. SRMAs support schools and academy trusts to make best use of finance and capital resources. The tailored advice and peer-to-peer support that SRMAs offer aims to help accelerate the work that schools are already doing to make best use of their resources to deliver the best possible educational outcomes for pupils. Additionally, an SRMA may provide support on challenges presented by budget planning, including identifying or mitigating increased or unexpected costs. Given current financial challenges, the Department would like as many schools and councils as possible to take up this free offer and would appreciate councils sharing this message with schools in their area. If any of your schools would welcome the support of an SRMA, or for more information, please email the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) at la.efficiency@education.gov.uk
Education and Skills Funding Agency update
The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) published its latest ESFA update and ESFA-related actions for councils, academies, schools, colleges and further education providers. The update for councils includes confirmation that the Section 251 budget data collection exercise for 2023/24 is now live. The deadline for submission of the return is Friday 28 April. It also includes publication of the maximum loan amounts guide for the funding year 2023/24.
On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme – applications reminder for councils
A reminder that councils are invited to submit applications to the On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme. The purpose of the scheme is to increase the availability of on-street chargepoints in residential streets where off-street parking is not available, thereby helping to ensure that a lack of suitable parking is not a barrier to owning an electric vehicle. The scheme gives councils access to grant funding that can be used to part-fund the procurement and installation of on-street electric vehicle (EV) chargepoint infrastructure for residential needs, in line with the minimum technical specifications. The deadline for submitting applications is Friday 31 March.
Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme
Phase 3 of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme providing grants for public sector bodies to fund heat decarbonisation and energy efficiency measures is expected to open to applications in autumn 2023. Phase 3 of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme will provide £1.425 billion of grant funding over the financial years 2022/23 to 2024/25.
Procurement Reform Conference (Manchester)
Tuesday 14 March, 8.30am–4.00pm | Old Trafford Cricket Ground, Talbot Road, Old Trafford, Stretford, Manchester M16 0PX
Sustainability in council services (show and tell)
Thursday 16 March, 10.30am–12.00pm | Zoom
Solar projects – business case validation and investment (Net Zero Go innovator workshop)
Thursday 16 March, 1.30pm–3.00pm | Microsoft Teams
Win more bids (Social Value Portal local government webinar)
Thursday 23 March, 2.00pm–3.00pm | Online
Local Government Procurement Expo (LGPE) 2023
Thursday 27 April, 8.30am–4.00pm | Novotel London West (Hammersmith), International Centre, 1 Shortlands, London W6 8DR
The Social Value Conference 2023 – 'Towards a Social Value economy'
Tuesday 13–Wednesday 14 June, 9.00am–5.30pm | Church House Westminster, Great Smith Street, London SW1P 3AZ
CIPFA 'Unleash the Power of Procurement to Deliver Better Public Services' Conference
Tuesday 16 May, 8.30am–3.30pm | The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) Auditorium, 1 Moorgate Place, London EC2R 6EA
The LGA Procurement team manages several LGA webpages dedicated to your needs. Please email guy.head@local.gov.uk if you would like any information added to our webpages:
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