U N I VE R S ITY OF NORTHAM PTON
A strategic commitment to social innovation THROUGH A SOCIAL PROCUREMENT MODEL FOR ITS NEW WATERSIDE CAMPUS, THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTHAMPTON WAS ABLE TO DELIVER SOCIAL IMPACT AND MOVE TOWARDS NET ZERO CARBON, AS WE REPORT HERE.
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At the University of Northampton, a chance to invest in world-class facilities was also a chance to invest in the community, providing significant opportunities for employment, training and business in the local Northampton area. Back in 2014 the University of Northampton made the decision to build a new campus in the Northampton Waterside Enterprise Zone. From the outset, through to completion in 2018, the University aimed to ensure that Waterside Campus would result in a very large-scale and measurable social impact. The social procurement model for Waterside Campus was informed by the newly released Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012. While the Act did not directly place responsibility onto universities to consider social value, Northampton felt that it was critical to do so, given its strategic commitment to social innovation - developing solutions to social and environmental issues in support of progress. The £330m development of the new campus was underpinned by a social impact action plan that the University of Northampton implemented through its procurement team to ensure all contractors had to demonstrate how they were delivering social value in the campus build. The key focus was on ensuring that the project targeted specific areas of local and global need, including environmentally friendly building practices and materials, but also with regards to local employability, training and supply chains. Throughout the build of Waterside Campus, 1,239 people from 40 local suppliers were employed on site through the supply chain. A total of 20 apprenticeship jobs were delivered, as well as various work experience and placements, with a further 43 local people upskilled. The University held various public engagement events including working with local wellbeing services, charities and social enterprises and there were significant positive environmental impacts achieved through waste management and other savings.
