Better for Local Authorities
Are you a local authority? We will work with you to:
Examine and develop local policy and social value strategy
Demystify and ensure compliance with current legislation
Forecast future social value trends and developments
Establish best practices and identify areas of priority
Collaborate with suppliers and partners to enhance and develop understanding
Set targets, evaluate proposals and evidence performance and accountability
The Liverpool City Region: Reviewing the Impact of the Spatial Development Strategy
The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) Spatial Development Strategy (SDS) is a statutory planning document that provides a strategic plan for the development and use of land across six local authorities. The SDS will set out an integrated economic, environmental, transport and social framework for the development of the Liverpool City Region.
RealWorth has a long-running appointment with the LCRCA to deliver an ongoing social value evaluation of the SDS. Since 2019, RealWorth has been tasked with evaluating the social value of every policy within the SDS at every stage in its development, to ensure that it considers social impacts in areas such as health and wellbeing, as well as their economic outcomes.
Case study
Vinnova: Developing a Social Value Model for Sweden
RealWorth was part of a Swedish team commissioned to develop an approach to optimise and measure the social value of regeneration programmes across Sweden. There was specific emphasis on community cohesion and how role of planning and design could be used to deliver local lasting impact. The project included four Swedish case studies in Malmö and Lund to test the approach in the field.
Case study
Westminster City Council.
Westminster City Council: North Paddington Programme
The North Paddington Programme is a place-based programme by Westminster City Council. Its aim is to make Westminster a fairer place to work and live. Its ‘place-based’ objectives mean that all work is developed in partnership with local people, community groups and charities in the Harrow Road, Queen’s Park and Westbourne wards of the Borough.
RealWorth carried out a one-year review of the North Paddington Programme and outlined several recommendations to help shape the programme going forward. This project has assisted the Westminster City Council in demonstrating the effect that their activities are having around the areas they operate in, and evidence the benefits the North Paddington Programme can have over a long period of time.
Transport for London: Creating a Social Impact Development Framework
Throughout 2019 to 2021 RealWorth supported Transport for London (TfL) in developing a set of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for its newly published Sustainable Development Framework (SDF). This began an optimisation brief pilot for assets and amenities around TfL development sites. The intention was to provide guidance and resources to prospective developers to produce site-specific guidance and advice and to conform to TfL’s expected and desired standards.
RealWorth reviewed the KPIs for three themes within the framework – Social Cohesion, Vibrant Places and Liveable Communities – and later wrote guidance notes for how to achieve good and best practices for each RealWorth-recommended KPI.
Developers that wish to bid for projects on TfL land will be required to set targets and meet those targets. Applying these KPIs to new developments on TfL land will provide wider social benefits for the community and provide value beyond direct financial returns. RealWorth also prepared guidance notes for each of the prepared KPIs. Preferred developers for projects will follow these guidance notes to achieve each KPI.
In Spring 2021 it was announced that the SDF got the highest possible score of 5 stars from GRESB. It also ranked 1st in the UK and 4th in Europe of all GRESB evaluations in 2020.
Case study