What can we do for you?
Local government, by its very nature, is constantly evolving and transforming. Changes in policy and political leadership at a national and local level mean that the landscape perpetually shifts and adapts. This means that the structure, capacity and capability within an individual local authority rarely reaches a “steady state”.
Our experienced team can assist in maintaining equilibrium in periods of change and help to align capacity, culture, capability and structure to new priorities, whatever they may be.
If you are interested in strategic reviews 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 review is tailored to the individual organisation and their specific set of circumstances, but the following points give a high-level overview of some of the potential steps in the process:
- Each project will have 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 review
- Information gathering will take place via structured interviews and feedback from elected members and staff at 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 outlining and justifying proposals on evidence collected will be produced
- The full process will involve regular and frequent sense checking with the Political Leadership
External Validation
In addition to the traditional review process, Solace in Business will make use of its membership network of local government leaders and private sector business partners 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.
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 Profile
An award-winning HR Director with 25 years’ experience at Board level and in leadership roles in both the public and private sector. An exceptional track record in the delivery of strategic planning, transformational change and operational excellence, with particular strengths and significant achievements in:
- Strategic planning, organisation design & restructure
- Major change programmes, including service redesign and implementation
- Business process redesign and transformation, including programme management
- Business planning and financial modelling to deliver efficiencies
- Leading and influencing teams and stakeholders
Recently completed strategic reviews include a London Borough and a Welsh Authority, plus a recently completed a commission at a City Council, where they reported to the Chief Executive and provided consultancy support on the design and implementation of a new target operating model.
Timescales and Costs
There’s no such thing as a typical strategic review as it very much depends on the scale and scope of the review, but the majority tend to take between 10 and 30 days.
The cost is usually offered as a day rate and an estimated total cost can be provided at briefing stage.
Past Client Testimonial
I am delighted with [our Solace in Business consultant’s] input over these last months. The guidance and expertise has been immeasurable and instrumental towards my organisation successfully delivering upon a significant change programme at the highest possible level. In short, [they] have been excellent
- Chief Executive, Northern Ireland Local Authority
