Delivering social value through EA’s supply contracts

The Education Authority (EA) awarded a contract to LCC Group Ltd in July 2023 for the supply and delivery of Fuel Oil to the EA, and schools throughout Northern Ireland.

This is a strategically important contract that facilitates the opening of schools (Gas Oil and Kerosene) and facilitates the delivery of children’s transportation and services to schools (diesel).  Due to the high value and strategic nature of this contract, EA choose to include mandatory social value obligations on this contract, which required the delivery of initiatives under:

  • Theme 3 Delivering Zero Carbon, including environmental protection and improvement, and strategies for minimising carbon emissions.
  • Theme 4 Promoting Wellbeing, including an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

Supplier Action

LCC Group Ltd appointed a Social Value delivery expert to assist with the implementing their social value contractual obligations.

LCC Group Ltd proposed various initiatives to deliver against both social value themes included. Through a partnership approach, LCC engaged with EA to review these initiatives and agreed to deliver several initiatives which would directly benefit EA’s internal and external stakeholders with children and young people being the main beneficiary of the Social Value initiatives.

The social value initiatives delivered include:

  • Provision of Solar Feasibility Studies to 3 schools – Finaghy Primary School, Ashfield Boys School and Coláiste Feirste.
  • A carbon awareness and sustainability training session for EA Staff.
  • Collaboration with a local VCSE organisation to promote biodiversity: LCC provided activity books and resources to make a window box or planter for 80 children who attend Wee Chicks in North Belfast. Wee Chicks is a not-for-profit social enterprise, providing childcare services such as pay as you go creche, after schools and holiday camp provision in their local area.

Through the delivery of these initiatives, LCC Group has successfully assisted with the delivery of EA’s strategic objectives reduce carbon emissions via engagement with EA staff, children and young people.