Paper to note: Socially Responsible Procurement update

SPC Members are asked to:

• note this update on progress in bringing Part 3 and sections 9 and 10 of the Social Partnership and Public Procurement (Wales) Act 2023 into force

1. This paper updates SPC on implementation of the remaining elements of the Social Partnership and Public Procurement (Wales) (the SPPP Act): Part 3 (Socially Responsible Procurement) and Sections 9 and 10 about the Social Partnership Council’s procurement subgroup. Good progress is being made with all this work against a context of pressures on both time and resources.   
    
2. The consultation on the draft regulations is currently live and will close on 14 October. We will be able to give an update on what the consultation has told us when the SPC meets in December. 
    
3. We expect to launch a consultation on the draft Public Services Outsourcing and Workforce Code later this month, and further consultations on the draft Public Works Clauses and the statutory guidance later this autumn.  
    
4. The Expressions of Interest process for membership of the SPC Procurement Subgroup is now live and will close on 26 September. A written statement which includes information on how to apply can be found here Written Statement: Establishing the Procurement Subgroup of the Social Partnership Council (27 August 2025). The selection panel comprises the procurement subgroup co-chairs Ruth Brady, Cllr Anthony Hunt and Welsh Government officials. It will convene to consider the applicants in October. We will be update the SPC on the outcome of this process at its meeting in December.