Activist Group

2020 Vision - shared service partnership

Activist supported four district councils participating in the 2020 Vision programme to develop a shared approach to establishing a new partnership venture to take on most of the four councils’ staff. Our work on the project included undertaking an option appraisal; providing advice on interim management arrangements; and the development of a shared approach to commissioning.

“Activist worked with the district council partnership in the initial stages to give clarity to the vision for sharing and the extent of sharing. They worked with Members to achieve alignment on the extent of the ambition and this was fundamental to creating a strong basis from which to move forward in a spirit of partnership and mutual trust. The specialist and technical skills that Activist brought to the table, working with officers of the four councils, resulted in robust and deliverable business case and ultimately a shared service which delivered on both its financial and non-financial benefits.”

Merton Council - community trust feasibility study

Activist completed a feasibility study for Merton Council exploring the potential for moving a number of services, including their library service, into alternative structures, such as a community trust. The options were evaluated and the financial implications examined, leading to the services being kept in-house.

“Activist’s senior-level experience from working on a number of innovative projects means they offer you good, sensible and practical strategic advice. It’s tailored to you and pragmatic.”

London Libraries Consortium - developing a new three-year strategy

Activist were commissioned to develop a three-year strategy for the London Libraries Consortium to enable it to expand and deepen the collaboration between the partners. This included delivering engagement with stakeholders to assess the appetite for collaboration and a workshop to facilitate the co-creation of a new vision.

“Activist develop a very good relationship with the clients, thanks to their calm, but methodical, approach.”

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London Boroughs of Brent, Lewisham and Southwark - three-way shared ICT service

Activist provided support to Southwark, Brent and Lewisham’s three-way shared ICT service partnership, advising on the most appropriate governance model and facilitating the development of the partnership agreement.

“Activist worked with us to ensure that all three councils understood their expectations of the Shared ICT Service and what our differences and similarities were. They also helped us develop our governance model. All this was facilitated quickly and efficiently and enabled us to work productively across all three councils more easily than if we hadn’t worked with Activist to do this. It was very worthwhile and has created a strong foundation for us to work from.”

Maidstone Borough Council - leadership development on commissioning

Activist were asked to provide leadership development on effective commissioning for Maidstone’s senior management, helping to build a common understanding of the principles and processes of strategic commissioning. This was followed by an action learning set, helping a review team to apply a commissioning mindset to their project.

“Activist helped the team to understand that commissioning is much more than just procurement. We are now more consistent in thinking through what we want to achieve before we embark on writing new policy or designing future service delivery arrangements and have a structured process to decide whether services continue and who delivers them.”

Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council - review of policy, performance and research functions

Activist completed a fundamental review of the operation and design of policy, performance and research functions across the Council. We undertook a comprehensive stakeholder engagement exercise, including workshops with staff, managers and the cabinet and interviews with the Mayor and other strategic leaders. We conducted an option appraisal of the structural options and recommended consolidating the disparate functions into a new Strategy and Performance Unit, reporting to the chief executive, and delivering substantial savings of £924K from a £3.4M budget. We also designed the structure and job roles for the new unit.

“As well as delivering a saving of almost £1 million the support from Activist helped Doncaster introduce a very different operating model for Policy, Performance, Partnerships and Research which became the Strategy and Performance Unit. Operational for just 2 years, the SPU has helped to make a real difference not just to the Council but also across our Team Doncaster partnership. The successful launch in September 2017 of our ambitious Borough Strategy – Doncaster Growing Together – is an excellent example of this.”

SOLACE (Society of Local Authority Chief Executives)

Activist developed SOLACE’s Guide to Commissioning and Sourcing (“When the Salami’s Gone”) and other national guidance documents on commissioning topics, including “Towards outside in (Engagement and Innovation in Strategic Planning and Commissioning)”.

Activist project manage and support SOLACE’s Innovation and Commissioning Policy Network, producing regular briefings and managing its research programme. We have also provided training and masterclasses on commissioning and sourcing for SOLACE.

“Activist bring a unique insight and depth of knowledge to our policy work, particularly around commissioning. Their advice and involvement in discussions with Ministers and the civil service have been invaluable and important in sharing best practice across the sector.”

The National Archives - new vision, national guidance and training courses

Activist supported The National Archives to develop “Archives Unlocked”, the government’s new vision for the nation’s archives. We have also developed national guidance documents including “In a Spin” (TNA’s guidance on cultural service spin-outs) and the “Income Generation Guide”, and delivered a range of training courses to archives professionals across the sector.

“We really valued Activist’s incredibly organised approach to the work – including their ability to bring clear definition to complex concepts and processes, and (very importantly for us) to deliver effective consultation processes through meaningful engagement with a very wide range of stakeholders.”

Mid-Kent Improvement Partnership and East Kent Services - ICT commissioning review

Activist undertook a review of the current approach to commissioning the delivery of ICT projects within the two partnerships. We provided an independent assessment of the current processes and commissioning approach within each partner organisation, developing a clear set of recommendations to establish a framework where the commissioning of ICT services formed an integral part of each Council’s strategic planning process.

“Working with six authorities across two partnerships is a challenge but Activist were able to successfully engage stakeholders in a positive discussion about IT commissioning. Their experience and critical insight helped streamline our commissioning arrangements leading to more efficient use of IT resources across the partnerships.”

Tower Hamlets Council - commissioning, procurement training and planning

Activist provided training for Tower Hamlets Council’s cabinet and senior management team on commissioning and procurement and produced a report with recommendations on how to take a strategic approach to improving commissioning and procurement practice.

“Activist’s training really helped shape our thinking and our plans for effective commissioning and procurement across the council.”

Herefordshire Council / NHS Herefordshire - Hoople Ltd, a new shared service company

Activist evaluated alternative service delivery models for the creation of a shared service forthe support services for Herefordshire Council and Wye Valley NHS Trust. We supported the creation of a joint venture shared services company, Hoople, for corporate services (including HR, Finance and ICT) for Herefordshire Council and its health partners, designed to deliver savings of £33M over ten years. Our work included steering the creation and initial management of the company, the TUPE transfer and induction of staff; and the establishment of the new management and funding arrangements up until the appointment of the first permanent Managing Director.

“Activist provided excellent advice and skills in all aspects of this ground-breaking venture, including sensitive management of stakeholder relationships during difficult stages of the project. Their contribution was a key factor in meeting the deadline for the establishment of the joint venture company and in the initial realisation of benefits.”

Parliamentary ICT - development of new ICT strategy

Activist provided advice on the design and implementation of UK Parliament’s cloud-based ICT Strategy delivering improved service and savings. This included non-executive membership of their Strategy Board; advice on programme design; change management; programme reviews; user-focused service design; and coaching of key programme managers and directors.

“Activist provided a highly tailored and professional service to assist us to successfully deliver our extensive change programme in both technology and user experience.”

Essex County Council - planning for new ERP system

Activist were brought in to review the Council’s plan for the development a new Enterprise Resource Planning system. This included a review of the user requirements for the new system and an assessment of the procurement options. We assisted with the design of the specification for a new system and advised on the procurement process. We also supported the development of the business case, programme brief and programme plan.

“Eric and the team were instrumental in helping me move the debate on from a defensive position around legacy interests with Board level colleagues to recognising the value in a strategic approach to resource planning and management supported by technologies that can bring that approach to life. Their wider experience and knowledge across local government aided the discussion in ways that generic consulting had failed to do previously.”

East Herts Council - strategic review of procurement

Activist completed a review of the Council’s approach to procurement, including interviews and a management workshop supported by critical case studies of procurement exercises. We developed recommendations for the development of an ambitious commissioning and procurement strategy to reflect the Council’s objectives; and for strengthening corporate leadership of procurement and the Council’s procurement capacity. Our recommendations were adopted in full.

“10 out of 10. I can’t fault the timetabling and delivery. The report is easy to read. Overall, it’s been a very good experience. Would recommend you.”

Cheltenham Borough Council - leisure and culture review

Activist supported the commissioning review of the Council’s leisure and cultural services, conducting an option appraisal of alternative service delivery models before assisting the Council with business planning and the development of an outcomes-based specification for the services which were spun out into a charitable body, The Cheltenham Trust. The review was designed to enhance the impact of leisure and culture on the borough’s health and economic success, while delivering substantial savings for the Council.

“Activist supported the authority in preparing an outcome framework for its new Leisure Trust. The work they delivered was of a high standard and the consultants were good to work with and knowledgeable in the subject area.”

Bracknell Forest Council - transformation programme

Activist provided support and advice to the Council’s Transformation Programme designed to deliver £11M savings over three years by reviewing all the Council’s services using a strategic commissioning approach. Activist helped to design the overall methodology and governance for the programme. We also provided specialist support for reviews of the Council’s services, such as library, leisure, support services, arts, citizen and customer contact, parks and countryside, planning and building control services. The programme is delivering substantial savings without impacting on service levels.

“Activist’s support was invaluable in guiding set up of the programme and in providing a wide range of specialist advice and expertise on many of our service reviews. We are making savings while maintaining or enhancing services and the strategic commissioning approach has proved to be key to this ensuring that we take time to fundamentally review services.”

Click here to read more about our work on Bracknell Forest’s libraries project.

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Activist Group

Making the complex possible

What we do

Our clients

Who we are

Getting our help