SERVICES

Over the last decade Beasley Associates has delivered a wide range of projects for a diverse group of Clients. These projects have ranged from: providing policy support at all levels; producing strategy documents, research reports, good practice guidance and briefing notes to local authorities, partnerships, regional bodies, professional institutes, national government and European organisations; developing case studies to promote good practice; writing business plans to support joint working initiatives; facilitating workshops and discussion groups to support action planning and progression; and supporting partnerships in optimising their impact on performance. Our approach to clients is always to be clear about methodology, outputs and expectations and always to report regularly and clearly on progress. We enjoy the creative process with clients, of ensuring your needs are captured, understood and delivered upon.

A snapshot of projects successfully delivered is show below. For further information please do not hesitate to contact us .

Strategy & Policy

Example Projects include:

Towards a Resourceful Belfast (Materials Strategy Proposition), Belfast City Council

Commissioned by Belfast City Council, this was a first stage document in supporting Belfast City Council in developing a new strategy to significantly change the way Belfast views and uses materials, particularly materials formerly regarded as waste. The intention of the new strategic direction is for material management to act as a lever for local job creation, economic prosperity, social wellbeing and environmental improvements for the residents of Belfast and the wider community. Extensive engagement across the authority, involving all departments and multiple stakeholders was integral to this project and a clear set of recommendations were developed for further action. This strategy proposition document was subsequently used a springboard to develop a wider Resource Strategy and we provided additional support in further developing this work.

Advancing Resource Efficiency in Europe: indicators and waste policy scenarios to deliver a resource efficient and sustainable Europe, European Environmental Bureau

Commissioned by the European Environmental Bureau, the aim of the project was to examine existing data and literature on waste and resources in the EU and provide commentary in four key areas: the role of resource efficiency indicators in supporting waste policy, in particular by examining the potential for baskets of indicators to assess the impact of policy in a more comprehensive and sophisticated manner; the development of scenarios designed to suggest higher trajectories for improvements in European resource efficiency; the advocacy of a suite of policy tools available to Member States and aimed at delivering the targets suggested across scenarios; and, an assessment of some of the potential impacts on waste and resource use for each scenario using elements of the four key resource efficiency indicators advocated, as well as some economic indicators. The recommendations from the report were fed into the policy debate with the opportunities for advancing the resource efficiency agenda clearly presented.

Closed Loop London – Creating a Secondary Materials Economy for London: Scoping Report, London Sustainable Development Commission

Commissioned by London Sustainable Development Commission, this research was called for by their Closed Loop Steering Group who requested a scoping study to examine the potential for the secondary materials economy in London. The purpose of the research was to provide an evidence based contribution to the London debate about the ‘art of the possible’ on developing the secondary materials economy, as London focuses on its own route map for the journey to a circular economy. The research utilised existing data sources for materials flow and composition (with some further improvements to this data based on additional sources), and included interviews with selected experts to draw on current circular economy thinking. This was all underpinned with current thinking in terms of policy and strategy for resources market development, secondary materials management and manufacturing. We mapped the infrastructure, estimating material flows and the value of material not recovered, and identified case studies and examples of innovation aross London. Recommendations for further action and considerations for the future were made.

This provides a snapshot of work we have delivered; for more information on these and other strategy and policy related projects we have been involved with please contact us .

Joint Working

Example projects include:

Strategic Review of RECAP, Local Partnerships

Commissioned by RECAP this work was undertaken in the capacity of an Associate of Local Partnerships. A broad, high level strategic review of RECAP to identify opportunities that joint working can realise in relation to efficiency and performance improvements for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough tax payers was delivered. It was intended that the report will form a guidance document for RECAP to refocus partnership priorities and also feed into the planned strategic review. The review involved the assimilation of data and information from a range of different sources including:

RECAP documentation and partnership policy; one-to-one interviews with Officers and Members from the RECAP authorities as required/requested; attendance and discussion at the Senior Officers Working Group; and, presentation and Workshop with the Members Board. In addition, the outcomes and recommendations from previous research undertaken in terms of creating a more advanced partnership were also critically reviewed. Experiences from other partnerships that LP has worked with were drawn on throughout in terms of critically evaluating the partnership to date and identifying future opportunities for closer working. Recommendations for future action were made.

Kent Resource Partnership Review, Kent Resource Partnership

Commissioned by the Kent Resource Partnership we undertook a fundamental review of the focus and activities of the partnership, to ensure that it remains a viable and effective arrangement. This enabled the direction of travel to be reassessed, ensuring that opportunities are not being missed and partnerships remain fully engaged. We considered the impacts of the partnership activities and the benefits of membership for the 13 partner authorities. Detailed interviews were undertaken with Councils’ Portfolio Members and Leaders, Chief Executives and Senior Officers and staff in the recycling/waste functions and workshops facilitated to gain consensus in terms of a way forward.

Dorset Waste Partnership Case Study & Somerset Waste Partnership Case Study, WRAP

Commissioned by WRAP to develop a series of case studies, Dorset Waste Partnership and Somerset Waste Partnership were identified to consider the impact of implementing a single unified system. These case studies explored service delivery, processes involved in setting up the service changes, the degree of joint working that was delivered, the challenges and how they were overcome and the benefits in terms of what was achieved from the joint activities. What's next for the partnerships was considered and lessons learnt for other authorities was presented.

State of the Parternship Review, & York and North Yorkshire Waste Partnership: Business Plan Support

Commissioned by the York and North Yorkshire Waste Partnership we were involved in a 'state of the partnership' review and then susbequently provided support in the development of a fully costs action plan to build into the partnership business plan. The overarching driver for the Partnership was to deliver efficiency savings in terms of waste management service delivery for the residents of York & North Yorkshire and following a grant funded project which involved four of the Partner authorities identifying potentially in excess of £500,000 waste collection efficiencies that could be delivered year on year and it was recognised that further opportunities for savings through even wider joint working could result in much more. The review assessment the performance and achievements of the Partnership to date and benchmarked its progress in relation to other partnerships. The report provided an evidence base to inform discussions between Members and Officers on future Partnership development. Following this a detailed 3 year rolling programme was identified and budget requirements in terms of spend and potential impacts was developed.

South London Waste Partnership

Commissioned by the South London Waste Partnership (SLWP), this work was undertaken in the capacity of an Associate of Local Partnerships. Following their success in relation to joint treatment and disposal the SLWP wanted to explore the potential next phase of procurement, looking specifically at a broader waste and recycling partnership, bringing together their WCA related responsibilities and including: contract procurement for waste and recycling collection; management of bulking, transporting, sale and possible sorting of recyclate; co-location and possible maintenance of recycling fleet; contract monitoring and management; and, customer management. The research involved benchmarking against others and accessing case studies on shared services and considering future trends in partnership working. Current systems and services were evaluated to present a baseline, and potential opportunities in terms of the financial value of joint delivery and the various options available were considered. Models of governance and different delivery vehicles were evaluated and recommendations made.

This provides a snapshot of work we have delivered; for more information on these and other joint working related projects we have been involved with please contact us .

Research & Development

Example projects include:

Exploring the Full Cost of Waste Crime in Greater Manchester, Dsposal

Commissioned by Dsposal, funded through the Business Growth Hub (Green Growth) supported by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), to deliver a study on waste crime in Greater Manchester. The aim of the research was to assess the costs of waste crime in the region, considering why and how waste crime happens and identify opportunities to intervene. A series of articles have accompanied the research; check out Beasley Associates, Ray Georgeson Resources and Dsposal's research on the impact of waste crime for further information.

Reuse in the UK and Ireland – a ‘State of the Reuse Nations’ report, CIWM

Commissioned by CIWM, this report provided a contemporary statement on the condition of reuse in the UK and Ireland. Through a series of interviews with key stakeholders and industry leaders, online surveys of the local government, reuse sector, waste management industry, charities and housing associations, a comprehensive literature review and a detailed assessment of the findings gathered, a ‘ State of the Reuse Nations ’ analysis of reuse was developed. Recommendations were made and the potential that CIWM can play in facilitating and further shaping these recommendations, making an important contribution to future policy and performance in reuse as a significant component of the circular economy agenda, were identified.

The Circular Economy: what does it mean for the waste and resource market sector? (President's Report), CIWM

Commissioned by the incoming President at CIWM, the aim of the research was to gain qualitative and quantitative insight, in order to seek a deeper understanding of and the preparedness for the circular economy across a broad range of the waste and resource sector. The outcomes, presented in a final report , were used to shape policy and priorities of the CIWM and support members both in adapting to a new resources landscape, and for those already active, maximising their role in a wider circular economy.

Market Research: Wood Chip, Newbridge Energy

Commissioned by Iona Capital to provide support to Newbridge Energy in relation to the current UK wood chip market. Specifically, market research was undertaken to enable evidence-based decisions to be made regarding expansion and ongoing market activity of Newbridge Energy. This included identifying the size and scale of the UK feedstock market for biomass and pellets. As part of this research, main suppliers, potential opportunities and current and potential challenges were considered. In addition, market intelligence was provided on the size and scope of the current UK markets for dry woodchip in pellets and briquettes for biomass and wider markets, and cat litter and horse bedding. Again, potential opportunities for market growth and existing and potential challenges were considered.

Regional Efficiency Reviews, Local Partnerships

In the capacity as an Associate of Local Partnerships, we have undertaken seven regional reviews focusing on efficiencies achieved in waste management. These reviews were focused on: East Midlands; East of England; North West; Yorkshire and the Humber; North East; West Midlands; and, London. The focus of these reports has been to identify what has been achieved in generating savings through developing more efficient ways of working whilst still delivering high standards in service. All the reports to date have attracted considerable interest from Councillors, Senior Officers and Government departments. A regional review of the South East is curently underway, with the intention that it will provide a valuable resource that can help support local government in meeting the on-going challenges in balancing budgets and ensuring high levels of service are maintained.

Barriers to Recycling for Residents in Flats and Terraced Properties in Dense Urban Areas

Commissioned by WRAP to undertake a comprehensive UK and international literature review, examining research into specific barriers to recycling for residents of flats and terraced properties in dense urban areas and the interventions used to overcome these barriers and improve recycling participation. Utilising existing WRAP research and project reports as well as our own network of local authority, academic and international contacts to capture additional key learning, reports from consumer research (published and unpublished), academia, devolved Governments, UK local authorities, NGOs and other research institutions and overseas case studies were all examined. An evaluation framework was adopted to categorise each report and a matrix produced to manage assimilation of the findings. Peer review was undertaken by the three researchers involved to categorise each report for further analysis. The project forms part of a programme of work designed to understand opportunities to maximise the capture of recyclable materials in dense urban areas and the findings from this programme of work were used to support the development of a series of pilot projects in selected local authorities.

This provides a snapshot of work we have delivered; for more information on these and other research related projects we have been involved with please contact us .

Operational issues

Example projects include:

Environmental Management Services Contract Review, Northampton Borough Council

Commissioned by Northampton Borough Council, a detailed review of the single outcome based contract for environmental services was undertaken. The review took into consideration the original justification for the contract, identifying the financial context within which the decision to outsource was taken. It considered the contract requirements, management and delivery and also identified the monitoring systems in place. When evaluating the contract any weaknesses were identified and the suitability and appropriateness of supporting contract documentation was considered. The performance of the contract to date was evaluated against the performance targets set out in the contract and recommendations were made.

Urban Recycling Trials, WRAP
Commissioned by WRAP an evaluation of a programme of work to help better understand how recycling performance can be improved in flatted properties, identifying what service provisions may need to be developed, was undertaken. Programme trials taking place in six authorities to test several different interventions including operational/service changes as well as accompanying instructional communications were evaluated and the findings from semistructured interviews with local authority contacts and key personnel within each trial; was pulled together with monitoring data generated from the trials to feed into an overall review of the urban interventions programme.

Environmental Enforcement Trial: Appraisal and Recommended Service Changes

Commissioned by Northampton Borough Council a full review of an outsourced environmental enforcement trial to deliver fixed penalty notices for littering and other environmental offences on a zero cost basis, was undertaken. The review considered a number of key issues, including: the performance of the service over the six-month period in terms of number of fixed penalty notices (FPNs) issued, for what purpose, and conversion rate in terms of fines paid; the impact, if any, on the local environment; the actual delivery of the service in relation to the SLA and in terms of the expectations of NBC and 3GS; and, complaints or feedback from the public in relation the service. Exploring a number of options, the review concluded with recommendations for future service delivery.

Collection Consistency Case Studies: Cheshire West and Chester and Durham County Council
Commissioned by WRAP to undertake a series of case studies into collection consistency, Cheshire West and Chester Council and Durham County Council were selected for detailed analysis. Detailed reviews of their collection systems was undertaken, and the savings to date identified. In addition quality and performance improvements were considered and potential improvements in the future identified. Advice for other authorities who may adopt a similar approach was considered.

This provides a snapshot of work we have delivered; for more information on these and other operational related projects we have been involved with please contact us .

Engagement

Example projects include:

Made Today, Gone Tomorrow - Symposium series on future trends in resource use and management

Commissioned by Envirolink Northwest and Merseyside Waste Disposal Authority, the aim of the project was to bring
together key senior stakeholders to take a visionary and potentially challenging look at future resource flows and resource management from a wide range of different perspectives. Workshops were held in London and Liverpool with an invited audience of senior waste and resource managers, economists, designers, retailers, academics, policy specialists, manufacturers and recyclers. The themes of the workshops were: future strategic direction for waste and resource management; future waste composition; future manufacturing industries; and, future waste infrastructure. The output was a detailed report.

Beasley Associates and RGR were recipients of the prestigious James Jackson Award for a research paper published on the outcomes of 'Made Today, Gone Tomorrow: Future Trends in Resource Use and Management'.

INCPEN Board Member Workshop

Commissoned by INCPEN, following the receuitment of a new Chief Executive, we provided independent support in the design and delivery of a workshop with Board Members in order to achieve consensus in terms of the organisations priorities, direction of travel and future resourcing. Agreement was made and a detailed action plan was produced.

Local Authority Stakeholder Engagement; Barriers and opportunities for increased recycling, WRAP

Commissioned by WRAP, interviews were undertaken with local authority stakeholders to establish current barriers to recycling, and also opportunities for increased recycling. The interviews followed a set structure; respondents were asked to confirm service data; consider potential service changes up to 2020; discuss barriers to increasing recycling and opportunities for improvements; and, finally engagement and monitoring tools were considered. Recommendations were made in terms of priorities for action for WRAP.

Two-tier working Master Class, WRAP

Commissioned by WRAP to support design and delivery of a masterclass into two-tier working. The aim of the Masterclass

was to better understand barriers to two tier cost sharing and to highlight the opportunities to 2 tier cost sharing. In addition, to consider options that could be taken forwards for further analysis (financial modelling) was identified. The sessions specifcally explored the impact of different payment mechanisms on quality and quantity, any implementation issues, and options to take forward. Recommendations were made for further WRAP support.

This provides a snapshot of work we have delivered; for more information on these and other stakeholder engagement related projects we have been involved with please contact us .