At Newport City Council we see procurement as more than a process of buying goods and services. Every contract and grant we manage is a chance to strengthen our communities, improve wellbeing and build a more sustainable future for the city.

Our approach is guided by the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015, which means we balance social, economic, environmental and cultural outcomes in all decisions. We prioritise working with suppliers and partners who share these values and who can bring long-term benefits to local people and the foundational economy of Newport.

To put this into practice, we partnered with whatimpact to manage our Shared Prosperity Fund grants for culture, heritage and grassroots sport. Using the platform allowed us to reach a wider network of voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations, and to run a transparent process where every application could be evaluated consistently.

The results speak for themselves. In the first monitoring period from May to October 2023, these projects delivered almost £1 million in measurable social value outcomes. This shows the power of aligning procurement and grant funding with community priorities and tracking the difference through clear reporting.

By working with whatimpact, we are ensuring that social value is not an aspiration but a practical, measurable commitment. Our suppliers and partners are supported to design targeted plans that make a real difference in Newport, helping us achieve our mission of improving people’s lives.