Salford celebrated for outstanding contribution to social value

Celebrating innovation, collaboration and commitment to creating lasting impact, the awards recognise the council for Radical Collaboration, Excellence in Real Estate and Planning and Creating Capability.

Radical Collaboration was demonstrated by the transformation of a former housing office in Eccles into a vibrant hands-on training hub, now the Peel Green Construction Skills Centre to support residents into training and work.

Salford City Council’s excellence in real estate and planning as well as creating capability was shown by their bold and ambitious step of placing communities at the heart of regeneration to develop co-designed social impact developer guides. The first of their kind, these guides for three Salford towns, Pendleton, Eccles and Swinton, are an industry-leading example of how councils can drive ethical, inclusive regeneration. Delivered by Savills Earth with Salford CVS through creative and immersive engagement with local partners and residents, the framework hardwires social value into strategy, planning, procurement and asset operations.

Councillor Jack Youd, Lead Member for Finance, Support Services and Regeneration said: 

We are honoured by these acknowledgements which reflect the dedication of our teams and partners in making a real difference to the lives of our residents. Social value is at the heart of everything we do, and this recognition inspires us to continue building a fairer, greener, and more inclusive city.

The regeneration of Salford is a fantastic opportunity to transform our communities and positively impact on everyone who lives and works here. Creating a brighter future for everyone in our city is our driving force, and that starts with understanding communities. Engaging with them about their strengths, needs and priorities helps to connect communities with opportunities from investors, developers and contractors.  Savills Earth collaborated with Salford CVS to develop the guides and engage with local community organisations to ensure that social value is shaped by local strengths and needs and that solutions are created by and for local residents.”

The Peel Green Construction Skills Centre is a powerful example of what can be achieved when organisations come together with a shared vision and a willingness to do things differently. It isn’t just a building; it’s a symbol of what radical collaboration can achieve. By combining the strengths of local government, social enterprises, employers, and the community, the project has delivered a lasting social value legacy. It is building skills, confidence, and most importantly, building futures for Salford people. The Build Salford partnership energised multiple partners around a specific challenge to make a real difference to people’s lives, showing both the spirit of Salford and the art of collaboration to achieve shared goals towards a social value economy.”

Salford City Council has achieved national recognition for its planning policy, successful partnerships and work in creating more inclusive growth - ensuring every pound spent and every major development in the city creates social, economic and environmental benefits.