Helping Hull through the economic downturn

Companies contracted to work on the Decent Homes programme use local workers

Hull City Council is helping to fight the economic downturn by ensuring that its contractors provide jobs and training for local people.
The council is the first public sector body in the city to adopt a 'social clause' policy which states that, where appropriate, contractors working on regeneration projects should use local labour, products and services, wherever possible.
Such projects include the £400m Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme, under which every secondary school in the city is being transformed, and the £144m Decent Homes programme, through which council homes are being refurbished.
"It's a way of creating greater levels of economic, social and environmental well-being, and helping the city through the economic downturn," said the council's head of regional development, Mark Jones.
"There are strict procurement rules which state we must go with best value when awarding contracts, but where a contractor can offer to create local jobs and training, that can be included in the consideration of the contract."
The social clause policy, for which a legal framework is being finalised, can also include agreements with contractors that they provide work placements, education initiatives and community involvement.
The council will now urge other public sector bodies to follow suit, including the local NHS and the Gateway Pathfinder project, through which millions of pounds are being spent building and refurbishing homes in east and west Hull.
See pages 14 and 15 for more information on how local people are being helped to find jobs.

For more information about the social clause policy visit www.hullcc.gov.uk