Consultation Projects
Some of the specific consultation projects we have been involved with are:
Corporate Objectives
"That was the best presented piece of research I have ever seen"
This was just one of the quotes from a client when we conducted consultation on their corporate priorities. We are particularly experienced in this area as our Halo techniques captures information and insights perfectly in this area. We are able to research in the outcomes area, whilst fully understanding the practicalities of running public services.
Local Strategic Partnerships
Using our in house Halo technique we are able to use an outcome focussed research technique to work back from what the needs of the local place are, and to contextualise these with the services being provided. This has provided deep insights, which are able to be used by the LSP, their members and other partners time and time again to keep them focused on the issues which make a difference.
Our work in this area is considered to be leading edge and has been widely published and presented most recently at The Cabinet Office.
Citizens' Panels
We have recruited and established Citizens’ Panels on behalf of a number of local authorities using an easy-to-use bespoke database specifically designed in Microsoft Access. As well as providing data about individual panellists it is used for various reporting and administrative purposes. It allows the client to identify and subsequently consult with sub groups of panellists as well as the full panel. This reporting includes the ability to easily identify any non-responders on the panel.
Although the database has been designed to be used in-house we also provide ongoing panel management and maintenance services for some authorities and are retained by some councils to provide such a service.
Place Surveys (BVPI General Satisfaction Surveys)
We have extensive experience of this survey starting in 2000. In every survey, the authority has achieved the minimum number of responses required and all the surveys we have been involved with have complied with the survey requirements. All of the survey results have been delivered on time and in line with our initial project timeline.
Our approach is to enable an authority to get the most from the survey at the most competitive costs. To achieve this we use our very experienced partner agencies to provide specialist printing and fulfilment services as well as data entry, coding and analysis services. All have previous experience of these surveys and their reliability and quality of service are second to none.
A senior member of the team always acts as a project manager for an authority and liaises regularly as the surveys progress from mailing to fieldwork stages through to the final data input and reporting stages.
Council Tax
Council tax consultation is a particular specialism and we have conducted this work regularly. It is a vital part of the council’s outreach work with their residents and we have a number of innovative ways, which we use to meet and exceed this requirement.
We recommend undertaking this work at least once every two years, but annually with different methodologies is by far the best way. We also recommend regularly researching marginal groups in this area as this is where we have found the most positive changes can be made.