Why social value measures change

Like all things, social value measures have the potential to evolve throughout the lifecycle of a contract due to a range of practical, strategic, and contextual factors. These changes are often necessary to ensure that commitments remain relevant, achievable, and aligned with both the supplier’s capabilities and the Council's evolving priorities.

The changes can be summarised as

1. Operational adjustments - Delivery plans may shift due to unforeseen circumstances such as staffing changes and supply chain issues, requiring updates to originally proposed measures.

2. Refinement of scope - As the contract progresses, the scope of work may be clarified or refined, leading to the inclusion or exclusion of certain social value activities.

3. Stakeholder feedback - Ongoing engagement with stakeholders may highlight new opportunities for impact or reveal that certain measures are no longer appropriate.

4. Performance monitoring - Data collected during delivery may show that some targets are unrealistic or that others are being exceeded, prompting rebalancing.

5. Policy or framework updates - Changes in government policy, the Council's priorities, or updates to Lancashire's Social Value TOM's may necessitate adjustments to measures.

6. Innovation and continuous improvement - Suppliers may identify more effective or innovative ways to deliver social value, leading to the introduction of new measures.

The Council is open to agreeing changes to social value measures during the contract, provided that any amendments deliver an equal or greater social value impact. This flexible approach ensures that evolving circumstances, innovative delivery methods, or refined project scopes can be accommodated without compromising the overall benefit to the Lancashire community. All proposed changes should be clearly justified and supported by evidence to demonstrate their continued alignment with the Council’s social value priorities.