Informing organisational change for East Ayrshire Woodlands
Overview
East Ayrshire Woodlands was part of the local authority but was presented with an opportunity to become an arm’s length enterprise in its own right. CJM Lumina was appointed to assess and propose a new business model and structure that would allow the new enterprise to be commercially viable and successful.
Brief
To better allow the Cabinet of East Ayrshire Council to make a decision on the structure of East Ayrshire Woodlands, CJM Lumina completed an in-depth review and proposed new structure for the organisation. The review included:
- An assessment of the current business model
- A redevelopment of the business model
- A financial impact assessment
- A set of recommendations for the best course to separate from the Council
Delivery
Before the review and recommendations could be developed, it was important to fully understand the existing business and speak to key stakeholders throughout the local authority. Comprehensive knowledge of the business and funding landscape was also pivotal to drafting recommendations to move forward.
Consideration had to be given to business structures that would include trading divisions, enable staff development, have an improved governance model, and include accounting systems to manage all facets of the business.
CJM Lumina provided East Ayrshire Woodlands with an in depth review covering all the elements listed above, and the recommendations that:
- The organisation separates itself from the Local Authority so that it may progress a more commercial agenda and develop its service offering in a long-term, sustainable way
- A revised financial forecast for the next three years of the organisation (including transition period) was prepared
- A Transition Project Team was established to carry out the recommendations made in the report
- A full timeline be determined
- That the project team engage wider stakeholders and funders to determine potential opportunities and funding sources
Results
The proposed structure has allowed East Ayrshire Woodlands to access new funding, which in turn has future-proofed the organisation in the transition period. East Ayrshire Woodlands can now lay the foundations for commercial sustainability and growth.
Testimonial
-
I had 3 of my staff on your webinar this morning
. I was listening in and I have to say this has been one of the best training sessions I have ever heard.
Once they got in their heads to use what you were saying in our business lots of things clicked.
And a lot of what you said they were all saying 'that's what you say to us' so thank you for concreting that I give them good advise and training.