The Brief

The Client is an independent ‘not for profit’ company limited by guarantee with charitable status. They deliver sport, leisure and cultural services and facility operations, under contract on behalf of the Local Authority. Like many other trusts and Councils their challenge to transform their organisation, ensuring sustainability in the long term whilst delivering against a backdrop of public funding constraints.

The Client wanted to commission consultants to develop a detailed Business Plan that could deliver circa £2.6m of efficiencies over a 3 year period in line with the Local Authorities intention to reduce the level of Management Fee.

Previous consultants had been engaged but were unable to deliver a realistic plan that avoided large scale venue closures and gained support from all key stakeholders.

The key objective for the Client was to:

“ensure the long-term viability and sustainability of the organisation in such a way as to protect core services and facilities, allowing the company to continue to improve and make a positive impact upon the health and wellbeing of communities across the local authority area”

The Client was also keen to ensure that:

• Closure of venues would be avoided
• The plan would to be realistic and achievable over the 3 year period
• It would be supported by all key stakeholders which included;
  • The Board
  • The Local Authority
  • Staff and Trade Unions
  • Customers
• The business plan would act as a catalyst for further growth and development
• The consultants could support and project mange the delivery of the business plan over the first 6 months of implementation.

Our Approach

The approach we adopt for our Business Planning is detailed, data driven and is underpinned by 30 years of hard earned experience in the industry. The study was undertaken in seven distinct but inter-connected stages which were largely linear but also contributed to the final analysis and reporting work. Where this project differed from other Business Planning projects was the additional project management and change management support that was provided through the early and most challenging stages of the implementation.

The new Business Plan provided the Client with clear direction and a strategy to deliver transformational change across the organisation and all its services and activities. it also delivered on the key project objectives which included:

• £2.6m Efficiencies
• No Venue Closures
• Minimal impact on service levels
• Broad Stakeholder Support from Board, Council, Staff, Trane Unions and Customers
• Acting as a catalyst for future growth

The additional project management support we provided throughout the early stages of implementation helped to ensure that momentum was developed and that there was a focus on action and clear accountability established.