Telford & Wrekin Council, GB Social Value Swap Shop integrates social value into procurement
The council's Social Value Policy seeks economic, environmental, and social value from every contract. Bidding companies use the Swap Shop platform to identify local organizations providing services within these categories. The Offers section for each category lists community groups with skills training, community events, and grants programs. Council contractors can also demonstrate social value with job placement and employee volunteer opportunities in the Asks section.
Telford & Wrekin Council, GB
United Kingdom
London Borough of Brent, GB improves employee relations with No Zero Employer accreditation
The borough earned Silver Employer Accreditation from Zero Hours Justice, the first accreditation by a UK local council. This accreditation means that Brent will not use zero-hour contracts - agreements without guaranteed hours or schedules - for its employees. Council officials also advocate for supplier elimination of zero-hour contracts through procurement. No Zero Employer status follows Brent's participation in The Fair Tax Declaration for ethical tax conduct by vendors.
London Borough of Brent, GB
United Kingdom
Chicago, IL requires new protections for cool building environments to protect against extreme heat
The Chicago City Council is requiring new protections for cool building environments, particularly in housing for people 55 and over, to address the challenges and safety concerns of extreme weather events. Buildings will be required to operate cooling and dehumidification systems when the heat index exceeds 80 degrees, and permanent air conditioning must be a fixture in all newly-constructed daycares, pre-K-12 schools and residential building projects.
Chicago, IL
United States
San Diego, CA considers proposals to help expedite infrastructure projects and boost transparency
The San Diego City Council is considering proposals to help expedite infrastructure projects by reducing bureaucratic approval requirements, easing restrictions on contractors, and requiring nearby residents be notified about upcoming projects. Proponents of the proposals claim that if approved it would result in infrastructure projects in the city being built several months faster, project costing less, and enhanced transparency to the public.
San Diego, CA
United States
Glendale, CA approved the Hotel Workers Protection Ordinance to regulate the hospitality industry
The city of Glendale approved an ordinance to implement a series of safeguards for hotel employees. The Hotel Workers Protection Ordinance includes panic buttons for summoning help against threats are mandated for hospitality workers, along with minimum-wage levels, limits on forced overtime, and maximums on the amount of square footage housekeepers must maintain.
Glendale, CA
United States
Marquette, MI is sharing tax revenue with the local township on a new housing development
The Marquette City Commission and the Marquette Township have reached an agreement to share tax revenue from a proposed 240-home development. The city would not be responsible for providing utilities or services to the portion that overlaps with its municipal boundaries.
Marquette, MI
United States
Marquette, MI
United States
Stockholm, SE promotes emission-free traffic with the public-private Electrification Pact initiative
The city of Stockholm is partnering with Ellevio, Scania, and Volkswagen Sweden to promote emission-free traffic with the Electrification Pact. The goal is to speed up the work to make the city's transport sector completely fossil-free by the year 2030. The Electrification Pact targets the country's largest parking company, the city's housing company, and the Traffic Office but it is open to all organizations and companies in Stockholm.
Stockholm, SE
Sweden
Washington, DC considers a bill prohibiting solitary confinement and separating transgender inmates
The Council of the District of Columbia is considering a proposed bill that would prohibit the practice of solitary confinement in the city's jail, ban the separation of transgender inmates, and limit other isolation methods. The bill allows for an exception during certain types of emergency situations.
Washington, DC
United States
Grand Forks, ND considers an ordinance for licensing, regulation, and operation of electric scooters
The Grand Forks City Council is considering an ordinance related to the licensing, regulation, and operation of shared electric scooters. All electric scooters used within city limits would need to have headlights, running lights, tail lights, brake lights, a bell, drum brake, regenerative brake and a kickstand. The person operating the scooter would have to be at least 18 and have a valid driver's license. Any entity wanting to operate an electric scooter rental system must obtain a permit.
Grand Forks, ND
United States
Boise, ID three-year pesticide reduction pilot program investigates alternative land management
The city of Boise is expanding a three-year pesticide reduction pilot program allowing officials to experiment with alternative land management strategies in 60 local parks. The goal of the pilot is to use a variety of methods to manage grass, soil, tree wells and other landscaped areas while also studying the effects of less synthetic chemical use. Boise Parks and Recreation will evaluate the new maintenance techniques and gather feedback to potentially implement policy changes in 2023.
Boise, ID
United States
San Francisco, CA considers establishing a "night mayor" to revitalize downtown's nightlife scene
The city of San Francisco is considering a proposal from nightlife advocates to establish a "night mayor" position in order to revitalize downtown after the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
San Francisco, CA
United States
Denver, CO is working with Michaels Energy Inc. to incentivize sustainable buildings
The city of Denver's Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency office is partnering with Michaels Energy Inc. to make millions of dollars in incentives available to property owners seeking to install more sustainable, electric heating systems in their large commercial, apartment and condo buildings. The city wants to focus on under-resourced buildings including those in neighborhoods vulnerable to gentrification and buildings with income-restricted affordable units.
Denver, CO
United States