Rotherham Council is keeping more money in the local economy after increasing the amount of money it spends locally to more than £122 million.
The Council’s Annual Social Value Report shows that local spending has risen by £77.3m, from £44.8 million in 2019/20 to £122.1 million in 2024/25, bringing greater benefit to residents, communities and the local economy.
The report, which will be considered by Cabinet on Monday 14 September, also shows that social value commitments secured through Council contracts now stands at £41.6 million.
Of this, £23.7 million has been delivered and validated - an increase of 92 per cent since the previous annual report.
Social value means securing wider benefits for local people and communities when the Council buys goods, works and services. This can include creating jobs and apprenticeships, supporting local businesses, helping community organisations and reducing environmental impact.
Since the Council introduced its Social Value Policy in 2019, contracts have helped to secure or retain 454 full-time equivalent jobs for local people and deliver 1,169 weeks of apprenticeships. They have also provided 4,985 hours of personalised career mentoring and employment support, alongside 728 staff hours supporting local schools and colleges.
The Council has also continued to work with partners through the Rotherham Together Partnership to improve how social value is planned, delivered and measured across the borough.
Leader of Rotherham Council, Cllr Chris Read said: “We want every pound the Council spends to deliver the greatest possible benefit for Rotherham.
“These figures show what that means in practice – creating jobs and apprenticeships, supporting local businesses, developing skills and helping community organisations.
“We have made strong progress, but there is more to do. Our priority now is to make sure every commitment delivers meaningful and lasting benefits for local people.
“Over the next year, we will strengthen how we monitor contracts and continue working with our partners to focus social value on the needs and priorities of Rotherham’s communities.”
The full report can be accessed here.
