The council aims to maximise the benefits of securing employment and training opportunities for residents of Northumberland through planning obligations, land sale conditions and procurement clauses.

Social clauses for jobs and training
The Public Service (Social Value) Act (2012) requires local authorities to consider how services they commission and procure can improve the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of the area.

The council is committed to using these powers to create training and employment opportunities, improving the local skills base, supporting more residents into sustainable jobs, and increasing opportunities for local supply chains.

Contract tenders include ‘social and economic’ questions to demonstrate how these benefits can be realised and contracts include clauses to secure benefits for residents in:

• new employment opportunities
• apprenticeships
• training opportunities
• work experience placements.

Contractors must also demonstrate how they will work with local supply chains and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to benefit Northumberland’s economy. In turn, the council is committed to working together with contractors to deliver these outputs and offers support in the training and recruitment process. The approach can bring benefits to the council and its residents, local business and contractors.
 
Northumberland County Council is working with organisations such as The Construction Industry Training Board and North East Procurement Organisation to develop the approach further.

For further information, contact:

• Kevin Higgins, Economic and Inclusion Policy Team, 07786 020787
• kevin.higgins@northumberland.gov.uk

We produce economic policy and research for the Council and other partners.

This includes the Northumberland Economic Strategy and the Northumberland Economic Assessment.  This is one of the functions provided by the Economy and Regeneration Service within the County Council.

The service also acts as a co-ordinating point between council services, its delivery bodies (including Advance Northumberland) and regional organisations, including the North of Tyne Combined Authority and North East Local Enterprise Partnership.