What can we do for you?
With rising demand on local authorities to do more with less, unsurprisingly there are increasing numbers of service delivery options available to local government leaders.
Whether you have outsourced services to an ALMO, trust or private sector partner, or you have an in-house service that you feel could run more effectively, an independent options appraisal would be a great way to get under the skin of current service delivery and propose a series of fully evaluated alternative options for consideration.
Solace in Business has been providing experienced associates to carry out options appraisals for over a decade. Our associates often have 20 years + experience in the service area, as well as experience across a range of places and settings, and we have a proven track record in service review, redesign and transformation.
If you are interested in an options appraisal or would like to know more about the services we offer, fill in the form below and our team will be in touch.
Our Process
- Each project has a dedicated Solace in Business sponsor, working closely with an independent Solace associate, or a small team of associates, depending of the scope and scale of the options appraisal
- Information gathering will take place via structured interviews and feedback from elected members and staff at a senior level (and key reporting lines, where applicable) within the organisation
- A review of internal documents and comparator data will also form part of the process
- Draft recommendations and options will be presented by the reviewer
- A written report will be produced outlining and justifying proposals on evidence collected
- The full process will involve regular and frequent sense checking with the Political Leadership, where appropriate
External Validation
In addition to the traditional review process, Solace in Business will make use of its membership network of local government leaders to ensure proposals reflect the latest thinking in organisational design and change.
The project sponsor, in collaboration with the wider Solace in Business team, brings an exceptional level of insight and experience to the project. However, we are also able to engage our wider local government networks to help inform the project and feedback on early proposals and recommendations.
Sample Reviewer
A highly experienced consultant working in both the public and private sectors, with experience drawn from thirteen years in civil engineering contracting and a twenty-four year career in local government with a large unitary authority.
As a consultant, they have a track record of successfully leading options appraisals and gateway reviews for local authorities, delivering projects across a wide range of disciplines such as strategic housing programmes, Housing Zone delivery projects, regeneration plans, extra care PFI facilities and major transport schemes.
They have also provided consultancy services to civil engineering contractors and have successfully contributed to improving business systems, customer relationships and quality bids in winning work.
Timescales and Costs
There’s no such thing as a typical options appraisal as it very much depends on the scale and scope of the review, but the majority of tend to take between 5 and 20 days.
The cost is usually offered as a day rate and an estimate total cost can be provided at briefing stage.
Past Client Testimonial
[Our Solace in Business consultant] undertook the work with no fuss, with regular verbal updates and drew sound conclusions and made clear, deliverable recommendations. [Their] quality of work was 5/5
- Group Head of Technical Services, South East Local Authority
