Beyond bricks and mortar

By introducing community benefit clauses such as targeted recruitment and training into contracts our aim is to ensure that members of our community, especially young people and those who have been out of the job market for some time are given opportunities of meaningful training and employment.

It represents an holistic approach to regeneration, that will allow Swansea and the wider region's communities to benefit from those physical regeneration projects, particularly bringing economically inactive people back into the labour market.

Our  community benefit policy (PDF) [468KB], updated in July 2016, is now widened to ensure additional benefits and added value are realised from all suitable activities and contracts let by the council, not just construction and regeneration. The community benefit policy sets out how the policy operates and how it will apply to both internal departments and external organisations wanting to work with the council. The BB+M team will continue to deliver the service and build on the success of the BB+M initiative.

Community benefit clauses offer a new approach to public procurement and can be defined as requirements made of a development or contract that would not normally have them as a defined or measured outcome. Clauses can be included to influence the following areas:

• targeted training and recruitment, eg long term unemployed
• supply chain initiatives, committing to local sourcing
• community consultation (considerate contractors)
• contributions to education
• promotion of social enterprises
• environmental benefits during works and at completion

Community benefits is a key priority for Welsh Government and one of ten principles in the Wales Procurement Policy Statement. Swansea's approach will ensure all possible projects and contracts will be considered for community benefits, maximising opportunities to achieve added value from public sector spending in Swansea.

For further information email beyondbricksandmortar@swansea.gov.uk.