Council's social value efforts continue to go from "strength to strength"

Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council delivered more than £8million in social value through its public service contracts in 2025, a report has revealed.

A meeting of the Council's Cabinet heard how there were also more than 4,000 hours spent volunteering for local community projects during the year. 

And close to 5,000 hours had been used supporting unemployed residents into work throughout 2025.

An updated version of the Council's Social Value Policy has been in place since 2023.

Key outcomes the Council looks to achieve through social value include increased employment for residents, improved skills and training, spend within the local supply chain, creating a healthier community and reducing the impact of climate change. 

Councillor Paul Rowling, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council's Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Resources and Transport, said: "Social value is something we take really seriously across the organisation and we always look to include it when going out to tender for contracts.

"And since updating our Social Value Policy three years ago, this has gone from strength to strength, with some excellent examples of the positive impact we can make. We also now have a dedicated social value officer, which reinforces our commitment to social value.

"An excellent example of this social value comes through Esh Construction's delivery of the Stockton Waterfront project. Since being appointed, Esh and its supply chain has provided 755 days of work experience for Borough residents, 538 volunteering hours were delivered and 2,092 hours of employability skills training, CV and interviewing support delivered to unemployed Stockton-on-Tees residents.

"Another great example is Premier Road Markings' work with Crooksbarn Primary School to deliver some fun new playground markings for the school pupils to enjoy.

"In 2026, we will continue to grow our work in social value across the various public service contracts we procure, with our dedicated social value officer driving this forward."

Kate Marshall, Social Value Manager at Esh Construction, said: "The Stockton Waterfront project demonstrates Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council's ambition to create a vibrant town centre that benefits residents and visitors. 

"Working in partnership with the Council, we identified programmes that would deliver lasting social value for the Borough, and over the past three years we're proud to have translated those commitments into real opportunities for local people."

For more information on the Council's procurement process, visit the dedicated webpage.