Tight finances – both in the public and private sectors – are going to be with us for a while. So, it’s vital that available resources are invested soundly, deliver maximum leverage, and best yield the benefits sought of them. Doing more with less, with greater predictability, and in ways that builds on experience are going to be hallmarks for the foreseeable future.
Socio-economic appraisal, impact assessment and policy evaluation are key sets of expertise we bring to resource expenditure decisions. The ‘thoughtware’ we deploy has been shaped progressively over the last 20 years, and is refreshed continually by developments in policy, methods, and the changing needs of clients. The trusted advice we can offer as a result means sounder investment decisions, better anticipation of results and, during and after the event, understanding the difference that’s been made.
Good appraisal, economic impact assessment and evaluation also mean understanding what works, and in what circumstances. Increasingly, it’s become important to consider interventions in context – in an economic climate that has changed significantly, policies, programmes, and action intentions may work differently to the ways we might have expected in the past. Methods and research processes need to be able to respond to a changed world.
Appraisal
Delivering the Funding Package for Broadband in York and North Yorkshire
We were commissioned by York and North Yorkshire Partnership Unit, in conjunction with NYnet Ltd and North Yorkshire County Council, to help prepare a funding package for delivering Superfast Broadband to market towns and rural communities in the sub-region. This involved leading the bid writing for a Regional Growth Fund (Round 1) application, as well as inputs into a submission to the Yorkshire and Humber European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) programme.
The Coventry City Centre Infrastructure Investment Programme
Working for Coventry City Council (and Advantage West Midlands), we were commissioned to appraise the potential impacts of a £100 million investment programme in the centre of the Coventry, taking a 30 year forward purview. Our work was subsequently used to underpin bids into the Regional Growth Fund (Round 1), the West Midlands ERDF programme, and to the Department for Transport.
Omega
The Omega development in the North West of England comprises a large urban extension for Warrington, and commercial floorspace capable of hosting some 20,000 jobs. Working for a private developer, our role was to review the economics of the scheme and to make a successful case for the inclusion of the project in the Joint European Support for Sustainable Investment in City Areas programme for North West England.
Economic Impact Assessment
Economic Impact of a Proposed Proton Beam Therapy Facility
The Department of Health was seeking to establish a new Proton Beam Therapy facility in England, for the improved treatment of certain forms of cancer. The Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester was invited to submit a proposal, and we were commissioned to assess the potential economic impact of such a facility for the Manchester City Region and for the North West. Our analysis considered direct employment at the facility, supply chain benefits, impact on inward investment prospects, and potential spinouts.
Economic Assessment of the Draft Plan for Offshore Wind in Scottish Territorial Waters
We were commissioned with ABPmer to provide an economic impact assessment for the development of offshore wind farms in Scottish Territorial Waters. The study provided a comparison of the economic and social benefits associated with the development of the short-term options for offshore wind in Scottish Territorial Waters against any potential economic and social costs associated with it.
An Economic Impact Assessment of the Proposed Development by Warner Bros. at Leavesden Studios
We are asked by Available Light Advisory to carry out an economic impact assessment of a multi-million pound development proposed by Warner Bros. at the Leavesden Studios in Hertfordshire. Following ten years of use of the studios for the production of the Harry Potter series, the intention was to develop a permanent base for Warner Bros.’ film and media production in the United Kingdom. Our work involved calculating the economic impacts at local, regional and national level and providing an assessment of film industry trends section of Warner Bros.’ planning application
AstraZeneca Economic Impact Assessment
We were commissioned to undertake an assessment of the economic impact arising from the closure of AstraZeneca’s research and development activities at Loughborough. The study involved an analysis of the direct and indirect economic impact of the closure of the site, which at that stage employed 1,400 staff, together with an assessment of future options for the site. These including a range of science and technology-related activities to maximise the future contribution of this significant asset to the regional and national innovation ‘system’.
Evaluation
Science Learning Centres
We were appointed to lead a consortium with GfK-NOP, Professor Jack Jackson and Dr Martin Hollins to undertake the Stage 2 evaluation of the national network of Science Learning Centres. The core purpose of the work was to provide a high quality evidence base in order to assess the effectiveness of the Science Learning Centre network in supporting continuous professional development for science educators. The research runs from January 2009 until October 2011, and is both formative and summative, with interim reports feeding back into the Network to assist iterative development. The research also includes longitudinal surveys of science learning centre course participants, and case studies with schools.
Centres for Excellence in Teaching and Learning Programme
Centres for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETLs) were established to reward good teaching and promote best practice in higher education. Seventy-four CETLS were announced in England with total funding of £315m, and a further seven in Northern Ireland. We were commissioned to undertake a summative evaluation of the programme and to draw out lessons for future programmes. The evaluation was based on self-evaluation reports prepared by each CETL and extensive additional primary research.
National Evaluation of Cymorth and Flying Start
SQW directed, and provided the core team within, a consortium comprising Ipsos MORI, CRG Consulting and academic partners to undertake the largest evaluation commissioned by the Welsh Assembly Government. It examined the implementation and impact of two programmes providing early interventions for children and young people in deprived communities. The methodology incorporated longitudinal surveys of intention to treat and control families, examining the outcomes of the programme on parental skills and confidence and children’s cognitive, social and language development. It also included process reviews, depth case studies, thematic inquiries and secondary data analysis to evaluate programme delivery processes and impact.
Evaluation of Farming Connect Development Programmes
Working in collaboration with Arad Consulting and Richard Gaunt, we were commissioned by the Welsh Government to evaluate the Farming Connect Development Programmes. The study involved undertaking case studies with demonstration farms, in-depth consultations with development farms, delivery staff and wider stakeholders, analysis of monitoring data, focus groups and a telephone survey with programme beneficiaries, and a review of communication and technology transfer activities.
Evaluation of the Overall Success and Impact of the First Five Years of Youngballymun’s Learning Years (Support) Service
Working in partnership with Dr Christine Stephen at the University of Stirling, we were appointed to evaluate the success and impact of Youngballymun’s Learning Years (Support) Service, which is working with early childhood care and educational centres/practitioners in Ballymun, Ireland, to enhance the quality of service provision. We adopted a mixed method approach, which included the mapping of early years’ provision in Ballymun, in-depth interviews with early years’ practitioners and community organisations, as well as discussions with parents.