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Birmingham BusinessCharter for SocialResponsibilityIntroductionThe Birmingham Business Charter for SocialResponsibility is a set of guiding principleswhich Birmingham City Council has adopted.Its aim is to boost the local economy bymaximising the social value the council obtainsfrom its 1billion purchasing power by makingthat money work as hard as possible for theeconomic, social and environmental benefit ofBirmingham’s citizens.Future commissioning and contractingdecisions will take account of the principlesof the Charter and it will help reform theCouncil’s procurement strategy, leading tothe creation of job opportunities, support tothe local supply chain and the payment of afair wage to contractors’ employees for theirefforts.We would like to invite you to join withBirmingham City Council in our efforts toimprove the economic, social & environmentalwell-being of our citizens by also signing upto the Charter. This pack will give you all theinformation you need to help you on thejourney to full accreditation and help boostthe Birmingham economy.How do I getinvolved?Below is information related to the typeof organisation you are and the routes toaccreditation.A current BCC contracted supplieror grant recipient.We encourage applications for accreditationto the Charter from our existing suppliers.As a signatory to the Charter you will beexpected to agree to an amendment to yourexisting contract(s) which will commit you todelivering the principles by fully adopting theCharter at the time of signature. If you arenot quite ready to fully adopt the Charter wecan help you develop an action plan which willlead to full adoption within a clear timescale.A potential new BCC supplier orgrant recipientIf you will be bidding for future contracts orapplying for grants you will be required tofully adopt the Charter as part of the termsof new BCC Contracts and Conditions ofGrant Aid. To bid for new work you will needto provide your Charter registration numberor agree an Action Plan during the biddingprocess to gain full accreditation within aclear timescale. Progress against the CharterPrinciples will be monitored during thecontracted period.Introduction 1
Organisations with no contractual linksto the councilWe welcome applications for accreditationto the Charter from the wider businesscommunity, public sector bodies, the 3rdsector and other organisations. You can applyfor full accreditation to the Charter but ifyou are not quite ready to fully adopt all thePrinciples we can help you develop an actionplan which will lead to full adoption within3 years.How do I apply?Register on Birmingham City Council’ssupplier portal www.finditinbirmingham.comComplete the Action Plan including detailson how you will deliver the principles ofthe Charter highlighting the economic,social & environmental benefits toBirmingham’s citizens. Submit tobbc4sr@birmingham.gov.ukWhat happens next?Receipt of your application will beacknowledged. It will then be evaluated & youwill be advised of the outcome. You will becontacted if any queries arise.If you have been successful you will be issuedwith a certificate, logos and accompanyingbrand guidance. If you are a contractedsupplier to Birmingham City Council progressagainst the Charter Principles will form part ofyour contract management meetings.If you have been unsuccessful you will beadvised of the improvements you need tomake in order to reapply.Each year you will be required to submit anannual report detailing the success you havehad and your plans for the coming year.Introduction 2
Birmingham BusinessCharter for SocialResponsibilityLocal EmploymentCharter signatories will create employmentand training opportunities for local peopleespecially in target areas:Mandatory for all contracts Commit to create employment and trainingopportunities for local residents, includingpeople with disabilities and support peopleinto work and work experience placements. Adopt an approved Jobs and Skills policyand apply this policy at every stage of theprocurement process. BCC’s Policy Toolkitfor Jobs and Skills provides an example of anapproved policy approach.Mandatory for above Threshold, andVoluntary below Threshold Seek opportunities to work with localschools to help ensure that the youngpeople of Birmingham are equipped withthe right skills to match the requirements ofthe labour market. Support the local economy and createmuch needed jobs and apprenticeship jobs,by adopting procurement strategies thatremove barriers to local businesses.Implementation GuidanceOrganisations may assist in the developmentand wide recognition of a Birmingham versionof the Baccalaureate qualification.Birmingham City Council’s EmploymentAccess Team (EAT) provides coordinatedaccess to dedicated and tailored job supportand skills programmes to ensure thatemployers get the right people with the rightskills for their vacancies. EAT will work withthe contract provider from the bid stageto support contractors to decide suitableemployment and skills targets and throughoutthe commissioning process, and once thecontract is awarded support the needs of theemployer to achieve the agreed outcomes.This support includes: Agreeing on targets General guidance to contractors at thebidding stage Advice to contractors on how best toachieve targets Model clauses for inclusion in the agreement Development of targets with awardedcontract providers. Targets can include all orsome of the following: Jobs, Apprenticeships,Traineeships, Graduate Placements, workexperience placements Recruitment Dedicated resource to understandrecruitment needs and timescales Contact with and information from Colleges,training providers and job-matching agenciesto support recruitment and trainingrequirementsLocal Employment 1
Advertising and response handling Provision of bespoke training programmesto ensure candidates with the right skillscome forward at the right time Pre-screening of job ready candidates Short-listing of candidates, skills analysisand matching to support achievement ofobligationsAftercareAftercare service, including signposting toservices to help train and retain staff.Remove barriersHelp small and medium enterprises byconsidering: The size and value of contract opportunities/ as a mechanism to involve SMEs Turnover and insurance requirements(proportionate to the contract) Advertising low value contracts on FIIB Co-operation between groups of economicoperators e.g. consortia Longer timescales for receipt of quotes /tenders Payment termsImplementationHow will the jobs and skills policy beimplemented?formal contractual clauses and the setting upof Jobs and Skills Charters for larger contractsor developments through to adoption ofkey recruitment good practice principles forsmaller contracts.Supporting InformationThe council’s Employment Access functionwill provide support and examples of effectiveTargeted Recruitment and Training (TRT)initiatives, including apprenticeships, to informthe contractor’s jobs and skills policy.Support is available through the council’sEmployment Access function, contactdetails below:Nick DoyleEmployment Access TeamEconomy DirectorateBirmingham City CouncilPO Box 2470Birmingham B4 7DJTelephone0121 675 gham.gov.uk/eatThe form of the Job and Skills policy to beagreed and implemented will be tailored tothe specific nature and volume of the contractheld. The council’s Employment Access Teamhas a number of different approaches thatcan be adopted ranging from agreement ofLocal Employment 2
Birmingham BusinessCharter for SocialResponsibilityBuy Birmingham FirstCharter Signatories will take account of thesocial and economic impacts of buying locallywhen commissioning and contracting, therebyreducing unemployment and raising the skilllevel of the local workforce.Mandatory for all Support the local economy by choosingsuppliers close to the point of servicedelivery where possible. Use ‘FinditinBirmingham’ as the primarymethod of sourcing suppliers for contractsin Birmingham, increasing the accessibility ofopportunities to local businesses throughoutthe Supply Chain.Implementation GuidanceFinditinBirmingham‘FinditinBirmingham’ is the online focal pointfor the Birmingham business community.It’s the place where private & public sectorbuyers advertise their contract opportunities,for local suppliers of all shapes and sizesto bid for. When looking for suppliers toyour business you can search the directoryof registered businesses or post your ownopportunities on the website.‘FinditinBirmingham’ also offers face-toface services including monthly breakfast &networking meetings which encourage localbusinesses to come together. These meetingsalso host ‘Meet the Buyer’ sessions where oneto-one meetings can be arranged betweenhigh profile buyers and local businesses. Encourage their suppliers to endorsethe principle of ‘Buy Birmingham First’throughout their supply chains.Mandatory for above Threshold, andVoluntary below Threshold Commit to purchasing from pre-qualifiedbusinesses on the ‘FinditinBirmingham’website where possible.Buy Birmingham First 1
Supporting InformationFor more information on‘FinditinBirmingham’ please visitwww.finditinbirmingham.comor contact Shariat:Telephone0121 303 esThe Annual Charter statement shouldindicate how your organisation hasimplemented Buy Birmingham First Policies.Suggested measures for Find it inBirmingham are: Number of contract opportunitiesposted on FIIB Number of new suppliers sourcedthrough FIIB Categorise supplier numbers and spendbased upon distance: up to 10 miles,10 –50 miles, over 50 miles, overseas.Buy Birmingham First 2
Birmingham BusinessCharter for SocialResponsibilityPartners inCommunitiesMandatory for above Threshold, andVoluntary below Threshold Charter signatories will play an active role inthe local community and community supportorganisations, especially in those areas andcommunities with the greatest need. Build capacity by supporting communityorganisations with resources and expertisein areas with the greatest need, for examplementoring and working with youthorganisations and services Make a local impact by improving localfacilities and areas, for example staffvolunteering schemes Provide support to third sectororganisations and work with third sectororganisations to deliver services andcontracts Work with schools and colleges, offeringwork experience and business awareness tostudents, especially those from disadvantagedareas or communities Support the Birmingham Baccalaureate as itis developed Make accessible all sub-contractingopportunities to a diverse supply baseincluding the third sector and local suppliersand provide mentoring and support to assistthese organisations to tender for and deliverthese supply opportunities where necessaryImplementation Guidance District teams have the knowledge andunderstanding of the types of supportrequired by community and voluntaryorganisations within their local areas.These teams will provide contact detailsof community organisations that are mostin need of capacity building and skillsdevelopment such as financial management,fund raising, etc. Each District Committee has a DistrictPolicy Statement which includes locallydetermined and evidence based prioritiesdelivered through District DevelopmentPlans. The District Team will share the keypriorities for the local area and how thebusiness community can help to addressthese priorities. Local community buildings and open publicspaces are used by communities to run arange of activities that bring communitiestogether for:– Social activities for young people andolder people– Community Meetings– Society Meetings– Faith activities– Food Banks– Advice and Information Sessions– Opportunities for volunteering.– E mployment and skills building activitiesPartners in Communities 1
The Business community can provide support,both practical and financial, in running localactivities such as luncheon clubs for olderpeople to prevent social isolation, runninglocal mentoring and skills building sessionsto enhance employment opportunities.Additionally, the business community cansupport the maintenance of meeting roomsand facilities utilised by community groups andlocal residents. Ensure that the Buy Birmingham Firstcampaign and FinditinBirmingham areengaging with, and accessible to, localthird sector organisations and local socialenterprises. FInditinBirmingham is the onlinefocal point for the Birmingham businesscommunity, where private and publicsector buyers advertise their contractopportunities. For more informationgo to www.finditinbirmingham.com, orcontact Shariat on 0121 303 0005 or emailrokneddin.shariat@birmingham.gov.uk. The City’s Social Enterprise Quarterbeing developed in Digbeth will supportthe growth and development of socialenterprises. The business community canwork with local communities to generateand support new business ideas to becomesocial enterprises. Additionally, we encouragecontracts with local social enterprise supplychains. Become an active member of the city’sschool-business links programme andprovide information, advice, guidance andopportunities to young people throughmentoring and other initiatives such as workexperience and business awareness training.For more information contact Educationand Skills Infrastructure, Birmingham CityCouncil at edsi.enquiries@birmingham.gov.uk (0121 303 8847). Support the Birmingham Baccalaureate(BBac). The Skills for Birmingham BBacmodel is based on evidence from employerresearch, alongside the Confederation ofBritish Industry (CBI) employability skillsand the innovative approach of embeddingemployability in the curriculum. The threecomponent programme takes into accountthe skills needs of local employers andaims to address these needs via a flexiblemodel. Eleven schools in Birmingham willbe piloting the BBac from September2013. For more information go to www.skillsforbirmingham.com or email JaneHarris at Skills for Birmingham, Jane.Harris@skillsforbirmingham.com, or Education andSkills Infrastructure, Birmingham City Counciledsi.enquiries@birmingham.gov.uk (0121303 8847). Support the Women’s Enterprise Hub,a partnership between Birmingham CityCouncil and South and City College, whichprovides support and training for womenwho want to run their own business.Although the hub supports all women,there is a particular focus on helping thosefrom Black Minority Ethnic backgroundsincluding Bangladeshi and Pakistani women.Partners in Communities 2
For more information go to the South andCity College website http://www.sccb.ac.uk/the-hub. Host a “mini business summit” tobring employers, service providers andcommunities together to learn from eachother and plan how local partnerships canbe developed to deliver positive outcomes.This supports a local co-design and coproduction approach to local economicdevelopment that harnesses local expertiseand distinctiveness. For more informationand support to organise a mini businesssummit, contact the city council’sChallenge Unit on fairbrum@birmingham.gov.uk or call 0121 675 3499. Use Third Sector venues for your meetings.Think Venue is a Cooperative that offersconference facilities, meeting rooms andvenues all of which are provided by charities,voluntary organisations, social enterprisesand other not for profit groups. All profitsgained from these bookings are reinvested tosupport social, environmental, community orcharitable aims.For more information or to book athird sector venue please visitwww.thinkvenue.orgSupporting InformationLinks to useful websites:BCC DistrictsEdgbastonSteve Jarvis, Service Integration Headwww.birmingham.gov.uk/edgbastonErdington DistrictMike Davies, Service Integration Headwww.birmingham.gov.uk/erdingtonHall GreenPete Hobbs, Service Integration Headwww.birmingham.gov.uk/hallgreenHodge HillBev Carroll, Service Integration Headwww.birmingham.gov.uk/hodgehillLadywood DistrictLesley Poulton, Service Integration Headwww.birmingham.gov.uk/ladywoodNorthfield DistrictRichard Davies, Service Integration Headwww.birmingham.gov.uk/northfieldPerry Barr DistrictSteve Salt, Service Integration Headwww.birmingham.gov.uk/perrybarrSelly Oak DistrictKaren Cheney, Service Integration Headwww.birmingham.gov.uk/sellyoakSutton Coldfield DistrictGary Ladbrooke, Service Integration Headwww.birmingham.gov.uk/suttoncoldfieldYardley DistrictBernie Cartwright, Service Integration Headwww.birmingham.gov.uk/yardleyBusiness in the Community:www.bitc.org.ukPartners in Communities 3
Birmingham Voluntary Service CouncilFor more information contact bvscwww.bvsc.orgMeasuresExamples of measures to be reported against: Number of community groups/organisations supported to help buildsustainability Number of activities designed and deliveredto address locally agreed District priorities Number of mentoring opportunitiescreated with schools and colleges Number of social enterprises supported Number of contracts with local socialenterprises Number of skills sessions to enhanceemployment prospects delivered Number of local business partnershipevents organised.Partners in Communities 4
Birmingham BusinessCharter for SocialResponsibility Comply with employment and socialsecurity legislation. Not employ harassment or intimidation. Have and comply with a whistleblowing policy.Good EmployerImplementation GuidanceCharter signatories will support staffdevelopment and welfare and adopt theBirmingham Living Wage within their ownorganisation and within their supply chain.Mandatory for all Ensure that employees are given a fairreward for their labours and help foster aloyal and motivated workforce by paying theBirmingham Living Wage. Recognise employees’ rights of freedomof association and collective bargaining,including not using blacklists in recruitmentprocesses. Provide a safe and hygienic workingenvironment. Comply with working hours legislation andindustry standards. Not discriminate in respect of recruitment,compensation, access to training, promotion,termination of employment or retirementbased upon race, caste, national origin,religion, age, disability (including learningdisability), mental health issues, gender,marital status, sexual orientation, unionmembership or political affiliation.The Living WageThe concept of the Living Wage wasdeveloped by the Joseph RowntreeFoundation Trust and is the term used todescribe the minimum hourly wage necessaryfor shelter (housing and incidentals such asclothing and other basic needs) and nutrition.This standard generally means that a personworking full-time with no additional income,should be able to afford a specified quality orquantity of housing, food, utilities, transport,health and recreation. The rate is set nationallyand, is reviewed annually every Novemberby the Centre for Research in Social Policy atLoughborough University.In addition to the clear personal financialbenefits to employees, research has shownthat the introduction of the Living Wageinto organisations has resulted in improvedattendance, greater levels of motivationand loyalty and improved recruitment andretention rates.Good Employer 1
Equality At WorkWorkplace equality isn’t complicated it’sjust about treating all employees fairly andconsistently, not making presumptions aboutpeople’s abilities or attitudes because ofthe way they look or because they have adisability. Having a diverse workforce canmake good business sense and can help youunderstand about the needs of potential newcustomers and bring to your organisation newideas or ways of doing things.Supporting InformationFor more information on theLiving Wage go towww.livingwage.org.ukSupport and guidance for small and mediumsize employers (SMEs) on good employmentpractice is provided by ACAS who can becontacted on www.acas.org.ukMeasures Minimum wage paid to any employee is thenationally set rate for the Living Wage Have a written employment equalityprocedure Have a written whistle blowing procedure Not found to be contravening any of therequirementsFor more information on trades unionrecognition go towww.tuc.org.ukFor more information on equalityat work go towww.gov.uk/equality-act2010guidanceFor more information on health andsafety in the workplace go towww.hse.gov.uk/guidanceFor more information onwhistle blowing policies go towww.gov.uk/whistle blowingFor more information on theimplementing the working timedirective go towww.hse.gov.uk-working timeGood Employer 2
Birmingham BusinessCharter for SocialResponsibilityGreen and SustainableCharter signatories will commit to protectingthe environment, minimising waste and energyconsumption and using other resourcesefficiently. These commitments will also applyto their supply chains.Mandatory for all Eliminate unnecessary waste by adoptingthe “reduce, reuse, recycle” philosophy. Be a good neighbour, minimise negative localimpacts (noise, air quality), improve greenareas (e.g. biodiversity, visual attractiveness). Reduce carbon footprint – be aware ofmain impacts on carbon emissions includingthe indirect carbon used in manufacturingprocesses and the direct impact ofoperations and logistics.Mandatory for above threshold, andvoluntary below threshold Measure carbon emissions and ensure aplan is being implemented using carbonmeasurement tools. Specific targets to beincluded in major contracts. Protect the environment and minimiseadverse impacts and instill this approachthroughout suppliers’ supply chains.Implementation GuidanceIn the elements that are mandatory,businesses will need to demonstrate thatthey understand what is meant by the basicprinciples of waste minimisation, being agood neighbour and reducing their carbonfootprint. This could be evidenced througha pre-existing policy to demonstrate thatthese are core principles, or through drawingone up to comply with the Charter. Supportfor this can be found in website links in the‘Supporting Information’ section below.For any further information/support wewould invite businesses to contact theSustainability Team at Birmingham City Council(SustainabilityTeam@birmingham.gov.uk).In addition to a policy to tackle the elementsof the Business Charter that are mandatory,we would also expect to see some targets toreduce impact on the environment in all threeof the areas concerned, as well as an actionplan on how businesses are expecting toachieve those targets.For larger contracts, the expectations arethat companies will monitor their outputsmore closely, with a view to reducing carbonemissions over time. Businesses will beexpected to take a longer-term view overthe targets that they will be working towards.Targets may include elements such as thenumber of low carbon vehicles purchased;development of a low carbon action plan fortheir supply chain; aim to reduce embeddedcarbon in goods and services provided.Green and Sustainable 1
More information is provided in the‘Supporting Information’ section.Sustainability Team (SustainabilityTeam@birmingham.gov.uk).For all suppliers working towards reducingtheir carbon emissions, we wouldextend the opportunity to engage withBirmingham’s Green Commission Visionand Roadmap. The Vision statement andCarbon Roadmap (published on 25thNovember 2013) are available online(www.makingbirminghamgreen.com). TheBirmingham Business Charter for SocialResponsibility will form a key policy tool forthe city in implementing the projects andprogrammes that the City Council, and ourpartners from all sectors in the city, haveidentified as critical in meeting our carbonreduction target of 60% by 2027. The GreenCommission’s website is interactive, therebyfacilitating rapid and flexible interactionbetween all communities, businesses andorganisations across the city around climatechange and how we can meet our challenges.Supporting InformationFor more information on reducing wasteand es.comFor more information about reducing thecarbon component of vehicle fleets andpromotion of sustainable travel for staff:www.fta.co.uk/policy and compliance/environment/logistics carbon w.cenex.co.ukFor guidance on measuring carbon printing/footprint-measurementFor information on improving local air quality.www.birmingham.gov.uk/air-qualityTo view and download Birmingham’s GreenCommission Vision and Roadmap.www.makingbirminghamgreen.comCompanies are also invited to contributeto and implement the Birmingham GreenFleet Charter, thereby supporting the Cityin meeting its carbon reduction targets byactively addressing road transport emissionsas a major source of CO2 that accounts forapproximately 20% of total UK emissions.Indicators of success Agreements with supply chains to reducecarbon emissions. Reduction in energy consumption. Reduced carbon emissions. Evidence of systematic policies/proceduresto ensure the ‘greening’ of the supply chain.Further information on these policy initiativescan be obtained through contacting theGreen and Sustainable 2
Birmingham BusinessCharter for SocialResponsibilityEthical ProcurementCharter signatories will commit to employingthe highest ethical standards in their ownoperations and those within their supply chain.Mandatory for all Work to the highest standards of businessintegrity and ethical conduct. Pay their fair share of taxes. Ensure the well-being and protection ofwork forces which must be supported byrobust systems and procedures. Support the principles of the UniversalDeclaration of Human Rights. Support the Fundamental InternationalLabour Organisation Conventions. Not engage in or support the use of childlabour. Adopt best practice when procuringgoods and services e.g. procure low energyproducts and avoid the use of rainforesttimber from unmanaged sources. Pay suppliers no later than the terms statedin the primary contract.Implementation GuidanceAs supply chains become more globallydiverse, businesses need to evidenceawareness of the ethical issues of theirsuppliers in terms of social, economic andenvironmental impact. The reduced costs insupplies need not have a human cost.Businesses need to increase their knowledgeof ethical procurement and the behaviours oftheir suppliers. There are some useful guidesand references available publicly that can helpto build this knowledge.Establish a code of good practice for yoursupply chain setting out core values andbehaviours that encourage fairness, honestyand openness, efficiency and effectiveness,and professionalism. Develop an EthicalProcurement Policy and communicate it toyour supply chain and demand adherence tothese standards.Review the specification of goods and servicesyou procure to identify more sustainablealternatives.Ethical Procurement 1
Supporting InformationThe UN Universal Declaration of HumanRights establishes the basic rights andtreatment of all individuals. This can befound on:www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/index.shtmlThe International Labour Organisations’fundamental conventions set out theinternational labour standards and areenforceable by law within the countriesthat have ratified it. They can be found on:www.ilo.org/declaration/info/publications/WCMS 095895/lang--en/index.htmor http://www.ilo.org/dyn/normlex/en/f?p NORMLEXPUB:12000:0::NO:::The Chartered Institute of Purchasing &Supply provides a useful guide entitled Ethicaland Sustainable Procurement which explainsthe risks and contains examples of goodpractice. This can be found on http://www.cips.org/Documents/About%20CIPS/CIPS EthicsGuide WEB.pdfFor sustainability advice see:ttp://sd.defra.gov.uk/adviceFairtrade commodities ensure that theproducers are treated fairly and receive a fairprice for their produce. For more informationvisit www.fairtrade.org.ukThe Forest Stewardship Council is aninternational, non-governmental organisationdedicated to promoting responsiblemanagement of the world’s forests.To learn more visit: www.fsc-uk.orgPaying suppliers promptly ensures that thesupply chain operates efficiently. The PromptPayment Code establishes some basicprinciples that organisations can sign up to.There is a Challenge facility to allow suppliersto raise issues. To sign up to the BIS PromptPayment Code visit:www.promptpaymentcode.org.uk/For recommendations about paying thesupply chain read the British Chambers ofCommerce Prompt Payment report.Website: rts-and-publications/?id 32&month1 &year1 &month2 &year2 &category &keyword paymentMeasuresThe Annual Charter statement should indicatehow your organisation has implementedEthical Procurement Policies. Suggestedmeasures include: % of invoices paid on time. Adopted an adequate ethicalprocurement policy. Process for communicating policyto suppliers. Produce audited accounts that show thatyou have not been avoiding paying tax,even by legal means, in Britain.Ethical Procurement 2
Birmingham Business Charterfor Social ResponsibilityAction PlanContact InformationCompany nameCompany addressContact nameContact emailContact telephone numberIf you are already suppliers to Birmingham City Council or recipients of grantsplease provide details of these:Contract number / grant registration numberContract titleExpiry dateBCC Contract ManagerContract number / grant registration numberContract titleExpiry dateBCC Contract ManagerContract number / grant registration numberContract titleExpiry dateBCC Contract ManagerAction Plan 1
Please provide details of any current contract opportunities or grants you are applying forwith Birmingham City Council:Tender / Quotation / Grant Reference numberContract titleClosing date for applicationsBCC ContactTender / Quotation / Grant Reference numberContract titleC
Telephone 0121 303 0005 Email rokneddin.shariat@birmingham.gov.uk Measures The Annual Charter statement should indicate how your organisation has implemented Buy Birmingham First Policies. Suggested measures for Find it in . Birmingham Business Charter for Social .
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