Dec 2009 – An analytical framework for community empowerment evaluations
SQW is carrying out a long-term evaluation of Participatory Budgeting in England for the Department of Communities and Local Government (CLG). The work included the development of an overall evaluation framework. CLG asked SQW to develop a generic framework for evaluating community empowerment programmes and projects to assist local areas looking to carry out or commission evaluations of their activity.
Click here to read the report.
Dec 2009 – Permitted Development Rights: Domestic Wind Turbines and Air Source Heat Pumps
Scottish Government wished to engage with Stakeholders to evaluate the impacts of Permitted Development (PD) for domestic wind turbines and air source heat pumps in Scotland. The likely impacts (visual, noise, environmental and built heritage, etc) were investigated to develop a recommended PD regime that encourages carbon free generation without adverse impacts.
Click here to read the report.
Dec 2009 – Stopping the spiral of decline? Understanding the importance of social networks in a recession
SQW’s report for SEEDA “Stopping the spiral of decline?” looks at the impact of the recession on local communities and how social capital is an important factor in making areas resilient to economic shocks.
The report explores how local communities and local economies are interlinked. It highlights the risks of a ‘spiral of decline’ for vulnerable communities that are subject to economic stress, and makes the case for more attention to be paid to the value of social networks. Greater promotion of ‘bridging social capital’ in particular may help areas to recover faster economically. Click here to read the report.
Nov 2009 – SQW Appointed by Equalities and Human Rights Commission to Study the Role of Local Strategic Partnerships and Local Area Agreements in Promoting Equalities
SQW is part of a consortium appointed by the Equalities and Human Rights Commission to study the role of Local Strategic Partnerships and Local Area Agreements in promoting equanimities. The consortium is led by the European Institute of Urban Affairs at Liverpool John Moores University, and also includes the Local Government Centre at the University of Warwick, and the Cities Research Centre, University of the West of England. The work will focus on case studies on specific equalities themes: gender and transgender, age, race, faith, disability, sexual orientation and gypsies and travellers. The work is to report its findings at the end of June 2010.
Nov 2009 – SQW Commissioned by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) to Assess the Impact of Growth Funding on Housing Delivery in the Ashford and London-Stansted- Cambridge-Peterborough Growth Areas
SQW was commissioned by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) to assess the impact of the government’s growth funding (including Growth Area Fund – now the Growth Fund – and the Community Infrastructure Fund) on housing delivery and the development of sustainable communities in two growth areas in the greater South East – Ashford and London-Stansted-Cambridge-Peterborough. This followed successful completion by SQW of a similar project in MKSM growth area. The methodology was based on identifying as clearly as possible the causal links – whether direct or indirect – between funding for different types of projects and the development of particular sites for housing. The work involved a review of all data held by CLG/HCA, and interviews with all local authorities and LDVs to ascertain the characteristics of projects supported by growth funding, and the role of growth funding relative to other sources of investment.
Nov 2009 – SQW Commissioned by The Prince's Trust to Evaluate the Be Enterprising programme
The Prince’s Trust has appointed SQW, with subcontractors QA Research, to evaluate the Be Enterprising programme. This is a new programme aimed at helping unemployed young people into self-employment, employment, education or training, and builds on the Trust’s long-running and successful Business programme. It is currently funded by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
Nov 2009 – City of Nottingham - Sustainable Community Strategy (Nottingham Plan 2020)
The City of Nottingham’s new Sustainable Community Strategy (Nottingham Plan 2020) was launched in Nottingham on 5th October by the leader of the council with 200 guests in attendance. SQW developed this strategy and it now forms the basis for One Nottingham’s work and partnership structures. It is also now shaping the council’s own corporate plan and priorities. Click here to read the strategy.
Nov 2009 – SQW Commissioned by the National Strategies to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Local Authority Support to Help Implement the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework
SQW has been appointed by the National Strategies, the organisation that delivers professional programmes for early years, primary school and secondary school heads, teachers, practitioners and managers, to lead the evaluation of the effectiveness of local authority support to practitioners to help them implement the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. The study involves qualitative work within eighteen local authorities across England. We are working with QA Research to undertake an extensive survey of practitioners in a range of early years settings including headteachers, teachers, childminders, Early Years Professionals and other practitioners in the early years workforce. This work will inform the 2010 Departmental Review of the Early Years Foundation Stage, which will be undertaken by the Department for Children, Schools and Families.
Nov 2009 – SQW Appointed by Bookstrust to Lead Evaluation of Two Book Gifting Schemes
SQW has been appointed by Booktrust, the book gifting charity, to lead the evaluation of two of its book gifting schemes funded by the Department of Children, Schools and Families. The Booktime programme provides a free book pack to four- and five-year olds, promotes reading for pleasure and aims to encourage parents and carers to get involved in shared reading with their children. The Booked Up programme provides free books to eleven-year olds and aims to generate an excitement about books and reading that will encourage children to adopt enduring reading habits. SQW is working with QA Research to undertake a mix of postal, online and telephone surveys of parents, carers, teachers and school pupils, to investigate the long-term impacts of the programmes. QA Research is also undertaking qualitative research with five- and eleven-year olds in schools across the country.
Oct 2009 – Assessment of Carbon and Energy Performance: Operational Ratings
SQW, in collaboration with Green Energy Partners, was commissioned to conduct a review of the operational rating system for energy use and carbon emissions from public buildings in place in England and Wales. The study involved a review of the current system, a survey of building owners, users and assessors and the development of a number of options for the client to consider for developing a similar operational rating system in Scotland.
Sep 2009 – Participatory Budgeting – Lessons From Recent English Experience
CLG contracted a consortium led by SQW in 2008 to study Participatory Budgeting (PB) in England. The work aims to establish what works and why, and the relative costs and benefits of PB. It will be completed in December 2009.
Click here to view an article which presents an update from the research undertaken to date, setting out lessons from recent English experience.
Sep 2009 – Helping SMEs Adapt to Climate Change
SQW has just embarked on a project for the East of England climate change partnership with the aim of improving the support available to SMEs adapting to the effects of climate change. The current focus tends to be on how businesses and consumers can help prevent climate change by reducing their carbon footprint, but this project looks at how businesses can adapt to the inevitability that the climate and weather will change. It is a fascinating project that brings together SQW’s expertise in both environmental matters and business. The study begins with a review of media coverage of past weather events affecting businesses, and with analysis of new climate projections data, for which we have teamed up with the highly-regarded Climatic Research Unit at the University of East Anglia. It also involves speaking with businesses to put together a series of statements for different sectors on the threats and opportunities posed by climate change. The work will go on to develop thinking on how private and public business support organisations can help SMEs to adapt, ending in a regional conference.
Sep 2009 – SQW to Lead Visioning and Masterplanning Process for Crewe
SQW, supported by Colin Buchanan and Cambridge Econometrics, was commissioned in August 2009 by Cheshire East Council to lead a high-level visioning and masterplanning process for Crewe. The key outputs from the six month study will include a detailed SWOT assessment, a Strategic Framework and Action Plan.
Aug 2009 – SQW to Evaluate the Lifelong Learning Network Programme
SQW has just won a contract from the Higher Education Funding Council for England to conduct the summative evaluation of the Lifelong Learning Network (LLN) programme. The LLNs were established with the overall objective of improving progression opportunities for vocational learners into and through higher education.
The evaluation will measure the overall success of the HEFCE LLN programme in improving the coherence, clarity and certainty of progression opportunities for vocational learners into and through higher education, with specific reference to: curriculum development to facilitate progression; information, advice and guidance systems; and production of network-wide progression agreements.
The project will include visits to all 30 LLNs, some in-depth case studies, a survey and focus groups with learners, and a review of performance data and other relevant documents. A final report is due by the end of July 2010.
Jul 2009 – Consultation Opens on a Carbon Reduction Target and Strategy
The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) has published a consultation document on the development of carbon reduction targets and a strategy for the English higher education (HE) sector. The consultation draws on research undertaken by SQW who included the establishment of two baselines for carbon emissions for the sector and recommendations on future sector-level targets for 2020 and 2050.
SQW compiled a range of data, documentation and other relevant literature, consulted with key stakeholder organisations, and visited 10 case-study higher education institutions. Two consultative workshops held in January 2009 provided an opportunity for interactive discussions with representatives from institutions, experts in the field and representatives of key stakeholder groups.
The report presents a sector-level carbon baseline for two years: 1990 and 2006. In 2006, total sector carbon emissions were 3.288 MtCO2, a rise of 34 per cent since 1990. It suggests that the sector could aspire to exceed national targets for carbon reduction for 2020 and 2050 and makes recommendations to assist HEFCE in defining a strategy for making steady progress towards the sector target.
SQW also produced draft guidance for higher education institutions to assist them in developing their own baselines and targets which forms part of the consultation process.
The full report is available at the HEFCE website.
Jul 2009 – Economic Study for Ocean Energy Development in Ireland
SQW was commissioned by Sustainable Energy Ireland and Invest NI to carry out an economic study of the development of an ocean energy sector in Ireland. The work involved undertaking a review of the technology options for Ireland, the related supply chain required to achieve targets for ocean energy deployment in Ireland, the export potential for the Irish business base, and using all of this information to determine the potential net economic benefits to Ireland under various development scenarios.
Jul 2009 – Royal Society Report ‘ Hidden Wealth’
The Royal Society has published a new report ‘ Hidden wealth’ on the subject of the role of ‘Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics’ (STEM) in innovation in service sectors. The report is based on the detailed work of a Royal Society Working Group under the Chairmanship of Professor David Rhind.
As part of the research for the report, SQW was commissioned to undertake a programme of in–depth interviews among innovative service based organisations in the public and private sectors and completed over forty semi-structured interviews with key individuals in four main sectors
• Public services (especially health)
• Business services
• Financial services
• Retail and logistics
The Royal Society’s report contains analysis and case studies and some 27 specific recommendations for enhancing services innovation.
The report ‘Hidden Wealth’ is available from the Royal Society’s web site
Jul 2009 – SQW Plays Key Role in UNESCO City of Film Bid
SQW is delighted that Bradford has recently been named as the first UNESCO City of Film. The UNESCO (United Nations, Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) designation recognises Bradford City of Film’s aim to use the popularity and accessibility of film as a major tool for regeneration, cultural development and social inclusion.
SQW and the Burns Owens Partnership worked with the partner group in Bradford to support the development of the concept, the plans and the bid. Our involvement included assistance with the creation of a Partnership Board, with representation from film producers, businesses, the public and community sectors, and then working with the Board to develop the concept and business plan, as well as writing the bid itself.
We investigated aspects of film in its broadest sense, from the history and heritage of the early film screenings, through the heyday of cinema when Bradford was home to over 40 cinemas including the largest in Europe and onto the work of specialists such as the Bradford printer, EM Berry, who was responsible for producing almost half of the world’s film posters. We tracked Bradford’s position as the UK’s centre for Bollywood premieres in the 1950s through to its hosting of the International Indian Film Awards (“Bollywood Oscars”) in 2007.
The bid set out ambitious plans to support the future development of film-related activity in Bradford, from capacity-building within the digital media cluster, supporting community activities and urban film clubs, to building the profile of the International Film Festivals, and assisting young local film-makers.
Nigel Rice, Senior Programmes Development Officer at Bradford Metropolitan District Council, who was the overall project manager for the bid, said: “SQW and the Burns Owens Partnership provided professional and technical support throughout the process, helping us develop the vision, bid and action plan that draws on our film tradition and builds for a digital future. Their work to develop the submission document was a key part of the successful bid.”
Julie Ramage was SQW’s Project Manager for the work. She said: “It is a wonderful achievement for Bradford to have become the first ever UNESCO City of Film. Bradford has a deep and varied heritage of film from the first film pioneers, to the early importers of Bollywood films (over 50 years ago), to a wide range of local talent and activity from technology and exhibition through to film-making and festivals. This accolade gives Bradford an excellent platform from which to launch its vision for the next generation of film and film-making in the City.”
Jul 2009 – Oxford Investment Opportunity Network Ltd (OION) Investment Network Wins BBAA Angel Network of Year Award
SQW’s sister firm, Oxford Investment Opportunity Network Ltd (OION), is celebrating after being named Angel Network of the Year at the prestigious British Business Angels Association (BBAA) Awards held at the world famous Belfry Golf Course Hotel near Birmingham. The OION Network is Europe’s leading technology business angel network.
The BBAA Awards showcase talent within the early stage investment community and the Awards Ceremony is a highlight of the business calendar, attracting senior representatives from business angel networks and early stage venture capital firms across Europe.
The OION Network was singled out as having achieved a record number of deals over the past year and for its unique co-investment programme with a major institution which attracted new investors to join the Network and raised awareness of angel investing in the press.
OION also launched a series of initiatives in support of early stage investment, which included training workshops to link new angel investors with experienced investors as well as special interest investment meetings. A Green Technology investment event brought together investors, global businesses and emerging companies developing green technology products and services, while a UK-China Showcase investment meeting provided a forum to develop Anglo-Chinese relationships.
Click here to read the full press release
Jun 2009 – Top Ten Interventions to cut Regional Carbon Emissions
SQW carried out comprehensive research for Yorkshire Futures to establish the Yorkshire & Humber regional carbon baseline, identified key emission sources and looked at a wide range of options for reducing carbon within the region. The project included the application of multi-criteria analysis using a variety of assessment and management tools to prioritise the Top Ten options for the region in terms of impact, cost, broader benefits and ability to implement by 2020 and 2050.
To read the report, click here.
Jun 2009 – Science Parks as an Instrument of Regional Competitiveness: Measuring Success and Impact
A paper by Kathrin Peters and Charles Monck was published in the proceedings of the 2009 Conference of the International Association of Science Parks (IASP), which aims to contribute to the discussion on the benefits and problems associated with the evaluation of science and technology parks. The paper starts by referring to previous evaluation exercises, then introduces a theoretical impact evaluation framework and reports on experience in applying the model to a specific case (Tamar Science Park). It then broadens the discussion of evaluation issues and ends by making practical suggestions for next steps to be taken by the international science park community, including the establishment of a working group to develop a common set of guidelines to assist the process. Click here to read the paper.
May 2009 – SQW's Evaluation of The Northern Way 2004-08 is Published
SQW was commissioned to undertake an evaluation of The Northern Way’s initial phase of activity. The evaluation examined the set-up, decision-making and activities undertaken and funded over the 2004-08 period as well as the transition into the restructured priorities from the 2008/09 financial year. The evaluation was structured around the 10 initial Investment Priorities, two flagship projects and the city regions research activity, and also provided an overall assessment of the impact of The Northern Way to inform lessons going forward. The study was undertaken using the logic set out in the RDA Impact Evaluation Framework and developed new methodologies for assessing Strategic Added Value. Two reports have been published, as follows:
2. Full report
Apr 2009 – NWDA Carbon Reduction Strategy, 2009-2012
SQW was commissioned to undertake a study into the development of a carbon reduction strategy for Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA). This study drew on past NWDA carbon reduction baselines, targets and strategies and improved methods of data collection and reduction opportunity implementation. SQW provided an updated carbon footprint and a comprehensive strategy for 2009-2012.
Apr 2009 – Learning and Skills Council Publishes Good Practice Guide for Local Authority Transport Partnerships
In late 2008 SQW was commissioned to review local transport arrangements for post-16 learners in England and local authority transport partnerships. The principal purpose of the review was twofold: to identify challenges faced by local authorities in meeting their statutory duty to ensure learners of sixth-form age are provided with sufficient transport services and support to access learning; and to identify areas of good practice where local authorities (working with partners) are meeting or exceeding their statutory duty. The study was based on a detailed review of the 146 available Transport Policy Statements published by local authorities in 2008, as well as wide-ranging consultations and surveys involving many local authorities in England. The study produced several research reports and a good practice guide for local authorities, published by the Learning and Skills Council.
Click here to read the good practice guide.
Apr 2009 – Open Access to Research Outputs
SQW was commissioned by RCUK to undertake an independent study into open access to research outputs. LISU (Loughborough University) acted as our sub-contractors. The purpose of the study was to identify the effects and impacts of open access on publishing models and institutional repositories in the light of national and international trends. Welcoming the study, Professor Ian Diamond, Chair of the RCUK Executive Group said: “This excellent study sets out a way forward for the UK Research Councils in relation to open access, building on the extensive activities already supported through repositories such as UK PubMed Central and ESRC Society Today. The Research Councils look forward to working with their partners across the research community to consider the options.” In response to the study, the Chief Executives of the Research Councils have agreed that over time the UK Research Councils will support increased open access, by: building on their mandates on grant-holders to deposit research papers in suitable repositories within an agreed time period, and extending their support for publishing in open access journals, including through the pay-to-publish model.
To read the report click here.
Apr 2009 – SQW Pushes the Boundaries of Impact Evaluation
This new guide by SQW, born out of the firm’s extensive experience, takes forward the debate on impact evaluation. Its aim is to challenge existing evaluation practice and improve outcomes – testing the rationale for intervention, evaluating impact and assessing value for money. It argues for use of more sophisticated evaluation techniques to provide evidence on intermediate and GVA outcomes as they persist over time, greater use of cost benefit analysis, and a more harmonised approach to public policy and investment decisions. To read the guide, click here.
Mar 2009 – Scottish Energy Baseline Study
SQW was commissioned by Scottish Enterprise to conduct a review of companies involved in the renewable energy and power generation sectors in Scotland. The aims of the study were as follows: provide an overview of the renewable energy and power generations sectors; build a comprehensive database of Scottish business activity in these sectors; identify academic linkages; identify areas where Scottish companies hold a competitive advantage; identify technology areas with significant growth potential; and develop five project ideas for potential Scottish Enterprise involvement in the sector.
Mar 2009 – Inspire East Publishes Research on the Contribution of the Further Education Sector to the Sustainable Communities Workforce
In 2008 SQW was commissioned to investigate how the further education (FE) sector contributes to upskilling the sustainable communities workforce in the East of England. The study revealed regional patterns and trends in employment in the core occupations and identified key aspects of FE provision. It involved secondary analysis of standard employment, business and FE data sets, and made recommendations for strengthening the responsiveness of FE provision in this area.
To read the report click here.
Feb 2009 – SQW Appoints New Director to Expand Regeneration and Infrastructure Services
SQW has appointed Stephen Lucas as a Director to help drive forward the expansion of its work in physical development and infrastructure projects. Based in SQW’s Manchester office, he will work across the UK to advise clients on major infrastructure and regeneration projects with the aim of ensuring that they are designed to make optimal contributions towards local and regional regeneration objectives.
Mr Lucas is an economist with over 14 years experience of advising public and private sector clients on large, complex and multi-disciplinary economic development and regeneration studies. He was previously a Senior Director at CB Richard Ellis, a leading real estate advisor, and has also held senior positions at DTZ Pieda and Roger Tym & Partners. To read the press release, please click here.
Jan 2009 – Award of North West Scholarships
Since 2003, SQW’s Manchester office has offered an annual scholarship to students undertaking postgraduate study at a North West university in an area relevant to the firm‘s work. We are pleased to announce that two awards have been made this year, to Mark Davies and Joy Edje, both at the University of Liverpool. Mark, who is from Liverpool is studying for an MSc in Urban Regeneration and Management, and Joy, originally from Nigeria, for an MA in Geographies of Globalisation and Development. The award includes a bursary of £1,000 to help finance their studies and the opportunity to develop links with the firm during their studies.