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Social impacts

Part I of the Framework was published in October 2004. While the majority of the Framework covers the environmental impacts of running the Government Estate, the targets in this part focus on ensuring that Departments consider the impact of estate management on staff and local communities.

The Government's role as a major employer is largely the responsibility of Departmental human resources teams in line with guidance and direction from the Cabinet Office. As a comprehensive range of measures are already set out through employment legislation, it has been decided not to duplicate these within the Framework.

Separate guidance on how social issues can be taken into account in public sector procurement is being developed by the OGC.

Part I requires Departments to draw up a strategy by March 2006. This could include effects on local environmental quality, local infrastructure, local amenities and transport for staff (e.g. extra bus services, staff parking). There is also an emphasis on creating opportunities for increased public access to sites or parts of sites, where appropriate (e.g. meetings rooms, gym facilities, access to heritage sites etc.).

As Part I was only recently published, a comprehensive set of data on Departmental performance in this area has not been collected for 2003-04. However, a number of examples of work done by Departments have been collected including:

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Defra - Good Neighbour Approach

Defra aims to be a proactive and good neighbour and endorse the Considerate Contractors Scheme. It adopts a positive approach to requests for access unless there are overriding operational, security or health and safety reasons that weigh against it. HQ offices at Nobel House incorporate features of architectural interest and may be open to the public for escorted tours through the annual London Open House event. Visitors are strictly monitored and not allowed free access.

Examples of co-operation with local communities and interest groups include visits by military historians and controlled access for observation of bats, birds and rare species at a land managed site in Wales; use of land for police dog handling training at a site in Hertfordshire; extraction of core samples by the British Geological Survey at a land managed site in Cumbria; Ordnance Survey datum on sea level is established at a Defra site in Cornwall.

In addition, local and parish councils and community groups have been consulted and involved in developments on sites that have a significant impact on communities.

Some sites have meeting and conference facilities, which are available for use by outside organisations.

More information is being made available relating to Defra sites on the Intranet to show public transport access, access for disabled people and facilities for cyclists. Where footpaths and bridleways exist over Defra land they are well marked and maintained.

Some sites participate in lift-sharing schemes that operate on an area basis, involving other employers. This expands the pool of participating drivers and increases the likelihood of a convenient match.

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DCMS

DCMS promotes a range of family friendly policies. The Department encourages staff to use flexible working arrangements, offers maternity leave and pay beyond statutory provisions, and operates a Career Break Scheme.

DCMS attaches great importance to voluntary work in helping to achieve Departmental objectives and provide benefits to those who volunteer. The Department sponsors a wide range of activities and interests including sport, the performing and visual arts, museums and galleries, tourism, libraries, the built heritage, media and films, broadcasting and the National Lottery. Staff members are offered special leave for taking part in various volunteering activities, and this allowance is currently under review.

DCMS's intranet has links to a schools contacts database and staff are encouraged to talk to schools about the wide variety of careers available in the Civil Service. There are also details on how to become a school governor.

DCMS opens its premises (Ministerial offices in this case) to the public each year during London Open House weekend.

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ECGD - Working with Schools

Every year ECGD provides a number of attractive opportunities for local school pupils for two to three weeks work experience in placements around the Department. This scheme provides successful links and encourages good relations with the local community by offering a worthwhile opportunity to students to get their first taste of an office culture and working life in general. The schools concerned consider the feedback provided on individuals to be very valuable.

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Departmental Data

For more detail on the how specific Departments within the UK Government are achieveing these targets, please access our Search Departmental Data section.

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Report 2004

Updated: 07 March 2005