Consultancy Support

Our core services are as follows:

• Feasibility Studies
  
• Options Appraisals
• Procurement and Partnering
• Organisational Reviews
• Project Development and Funding (Capital Schemes)

Feasibility Studies

Over the last 10 years, SLC team members have led and conducted the very highest quality feasibility studies, many of which have led to operational schemes. We have played pivotal roles in the development of high profile projects including the 2012 Olympic Aquatics Centre and the Orford Park Community Sports Hub in Warrington, both of which are now under construction. Our approach is to take a long-term view and focus continuously on your desired outcomes, not just on getting a building or project open. The difference is that we've seen projects through from feasibility to delivery, and learned a lot on the way that benefits the projects we support.

Our approach to feasibility studies is highly methodical and based on effective consultation, proper analysis, using the latest techniques in profiling catchment areas, GIS mapping, transportation access and demand analysis, linked to a detailed business planning process.

We can seemlessly link our work to supporting clients in bidding for major funding, such as Sport England's Iconic Facilities fund linked to community sports hubs - an area we specialise in.

We work with the very best specialist Architects, Access Consultants, Business Planning and GIS Consultants in the UK and develop a bespoke team and approach to meet the requirements of your project.

Options Appraisals

Duncan Wood-Allum is recognised as one the the leading practioners in conducting options appraisals in the Culture and Sport sector. He recently authored the best practice guidance for options appraisals and business cases for I&DeA. Options appraisals are often linked to implementation and we are in a position not only to support your decision making, but to assist you in implemenation in the following areas:

1. Undertaking fully independent options appraisals and implementation plans
2. Reshaping your portfolio of facilities to deliver real sustainable outcomes
3. Seizing the opportunity that the current spending review presents to transform community provision on school sites
4. Re-positioning services to enable you to engage fully with commissioning partners such as Health, Childrens Services and Adult & Social Care
5. Refocusing services and delivery partners so they are better able to leverage new funding
6. Procurement of partnerships that work in an increasing mixed economy of provision.

Procurement and Partnering

We have been a strong advocate for improved procurement practices in local authority leisure services for a decade, developing greater understanding between the leisure operator sector and local government. With the advent of Strategic Commissioning and Comissioning, old approaches to procurement are simply not fit for purpose.

SLC has experience of managing a procurement process using a business case based approach and recently developed best practice guidance on procurement for I&DeA for the Culture and Sport Sector. With new mixed models of procurement and the real potential to incorporate the Third Sector into solutions, we are at the forefront of thinking in this area and have access to some of the leading experts in contract management, performance mechanisms, contract law and output specifications.

Organisational Reviews

In light of the current economic and financial crisis, many sport, leisure and culture organisations are going to have to reduce their services in response to significant budget reductions and changes in local priorities. Having an independant review to support you in this process and help you identify potential cost savings can make a huge difference in the quality of the final outcome.

SLC has deep and broad experience of organisational reviews, incorporating its approach to options appraisals and business planning, you can be assured that this will be conducted methodically and will be based on objective analysis. What sets us apart is our unique ability to develop trust and rapport with client teams and their partners.

Project Development and Funding (Capital Schemes)

Complex projects need a number of professions working together for you. Having someone manage these organisations is vital to ensure they are working for you, not operating in silos. With years of experience of orchestrating multi disciplinary teams in major  £ multi-million projects and programmes, we can maximise the synergy of the team you choose to support you. We can even assist you in procuring and selecting the right teams to meet your needs.

SLC is one of the few specialist sport and leisure consultancies that has experience of dealing with the whole supply chain in a major project development and delivering successful schemes.

We adopt an approach of critical friend when required, and have deep experience of reviewing major project developments and business cases and if required, getting them back on track.

When it comes to selling your project externally to funding agencies through advocacy or through supporting you in developing bids, we have an impressive track record of delivering £millions for our client's capital schemes.

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