ASSURANCE

We provide short, inexpensive but effective reviews to project owners on high risk projects or programmes where public sector organisations have to keep them on track.

Based on our tried and trusted approach to Gateway reviews, we have undertaken strategic reviews of council-wide transformation programmes, exploring the full range of alternative service delivery models, and developed and implemented an approach to assure “spinning out” services, for example, into a local authority trading company. This approach covers the key stages of decision making prior to establishing the spin-out and the effectiveness of the new organisation once it has been established.

As with Gateways, our assurance reviews are constructive and forward looking, making recommendations designed to maximise the chances of successful delivery.

In 2019 – 20 we helped our clients achieve :

We worked closely with government departments through the Departmental Assurance Coordinators’ forum to support assurance within the public sector.

We analysed nine Department for Transport grant-funded major transport reviews. We provided a lessons learned report with recommendations for ways to provide improved support to authorities. The reviews showed that more time is often needed at the early stage of project development, though this can be difficult owing to limited funding. We found that when project costs rise and programmes are delayed, the underlying cause may track back to a need for more analysis at the outline business case stage. We also noted a need for more consideration of how to mitigate risks, more planning ahead and identifying robust alternatives before problems occur. More information and sharing of best practice is needed, so we have proposed the establishment of regular national network meetings to allow discussion on areas of common interest and accelerate shared learning.

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic we quickly and successfully adapted our review process to deliver virtual reviews effectively and successfully in lockdown conditions which has ensured no review needed to be postponed or cancelled.

 

For more information about what we have helped our clients achieve, see our 2019-20 impact report.

IMPACT REPORT 2019 - 2020

TESTIMONIALS

 The observations and recommendations will leave a legacy of learning and improvement far beyond the project.

Ian Watson, Assistant Chief Officer, Humberside Police

The setup and three days onsite work were challenging. We have now decided to continue the Gateway Reviews throughout the whole life cycle of this programme.

David O’Connor, Lincolnshire County Council, Assistant Chief Executive

I found your style of review both challenging and supportive, and very much focused on enabling us to improve, rather than telling us where we’re not. Such a style is very welcome and not always in evidence in such processes.

Bradford Council, Jill Campbell, Project Manager

RESOURCES

ASSURANCE TOOLKIT

Main Contact

Paul Monaghan

Programme Director – Assurance

 

Mobile: 07747 441 495
Email: paul.monaghan@localpartnerships.gov.uk

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