A critical assessment of the options appraisal which recommends the outsourcing of a new Customer Services Organisation (centralising all user access with the Council) and a New Support Organisation (finance, human resources, revenue & benefits, IT, procurement and property). Identifies eleven key risks if the Council proceeds with a strategic partnership (February, 2011).

Covers general principles and policy background, engagement in service reviews and options appraisals, access to information and workforce issues (January 2010).

A response to the Council’s proposal for Future Shape ‘quick win’ to commence procurement of a partnership for Cemeteries and crematoria, based on a options appraisal undertaken by a Capita subsidiary. The report demonstrated that the options appraisal had serious flaws. The proposal was withdrawn at Cabinet and a new options appraisal process launched to…

The London Borough of Barnet Council commissioned Impower/Agilysis to deliver an options appraisal for the future provision of Planning, Building Control, Environmental Health, Trading Standards and other Regulatory Services. They recommended “The market option most likely to deliver the improvement and price changes needed is a strategic partnership with the private sector.” They also recommended…

Sets out a 12 point economic case for in-house options and bids. Prepared for Barnet UNISON where the Council is refusing to consider even in-house options as part of its Future Shape programme (2010).