New council strategy and resources to deliver social impact in Salford

Salford City Council has approved plans to create further local impact and lasting change to people and places where they make the most difference.

These new initiatives build on the council’s commitment to social value, where decisions are made not just on cost but on the wider benefits that improve opportunities, equity and wellbeing for residents.

Widening access to employment and skills for disadvantaged people, increasing support for communities most in need and tackling health inequalities are central priorities in the council’s new social value and impact strategy 2026-29. It sets out how it will embed the right processes, people and tools across procurement, planning and partnership work to deliver meaningful social impact in everything the council does.

Already recognised as a leader in this area, the council has won several awards* and delivered £42.6m of social and local economic value through procurement since 2022. It has also processed over 80 planning social value statements with developers committing to a range of activities from jobs, training to supporting community projects. Through its own social value corporate activities such as local employment and work placements, the council generates the equivalent of around £60m annually. 

Despite this progress, inequalities remain. To better understand these challenges, the council worked with industry experts Social Value Portal to develop an evidence-based strategy to identify where social value can make the greatest difference. Through research, engagement and analysis, they gathered key insights into the city’s needs, shaping a new approach and action plan designed to further strengthen and improve social value practice. 

The new strategy therefore focuses on three priority areas:

•    Widening access to employment and skills particularly for NEET young people, care leavers, people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and adults furthest from the labour market

•    Expanding resources and support for VCSE-led community projects, especially those in the most deprived areas or those with limited capacity

•    Strengthening action to tackle health inequalities for both communities and workforces

Salford City Council is committed to not only using its own influence and spending power to create meaningful social value for residents, it also works with organisations across the city to encourage them to do the same.  The council has helped businesses use social value to transform lives from training and upskilling young people to improving wellbeing and strengthen communities.

The strategy’s target areas are also reflected in the council’s new directory of social value and impact opportunities designed to help everyone benefit from opportunities in Salford. This practical resource help suppliers, developers, regeneration partners and responsible businesses to plan commitments that benefit local people. It identifies a wide range of ways they can get involved from taking on apprentices and planting trees to donating equipment or offering time in the form of volunteering, mentoring or providing expert advice to local charities. 

With strong connections to the city’s voluntary and community sector and a member of the Salford Social Value Alliance, the council is clear about how organisations can support local communities through social value. As the directory’s activities are aligned with our strategy target areas, council priorities and specific local needs, partners are supported to deliver meaningful social value in Salford. The directory also helps shift a supplier’s focus from what they may have previously offered to providing what is really needed in a particular community.

This is the first of several initiatives to enhance the city’s collaborative approach towards delivering real social impact through improving people’s lives, strengthening communities and creating long-lasting positive change.

The directory links to the national social value TOM (themes outcomes and measures) system which measures both the value and the impact of activities. The social value directory is organised by the priorities in the council’s corporate plan, recognising what the city is working towards, with themes including good growth, climate action and healthy lives.

Salford City Council’s Deputy City Mayor and Lead Member for Finance, Support Services and Regeneration, Jack Youd, said: “We’ve seen the positive impact that good social value practice can have on communities and how it changes people’s lives for the better. That’s why we want to ensure every pound we spend, every partnership we form and every development we approve, improves outcomes for Salford people.

“Delivering meaningful social value requires investment in the systems and processes that enable collaboration and amplify impact through partners. The social value and impact directory empowers suppliers, developers and partners to connect with community and voluntary organisations in meaningful ways. By aligning with local needs, it helps to ensure that every organisation can contribute to lasting impact for our residents and strengthens the social fabric of our city.

Our new approach aims to turn growth into inclusive prosperity and ensure investment in Salford creates real, tangible benefits for everyone.”

See this resource and find out more on our website.