Islington Council
Sport and Physical Activity Needs Assessment
A leading sport and leisure consultancy with highly experienced sector experts, supported by a quality team.
We advise on the development of effective strategies, leisure facilities and the development of mutually beneficial operating partnerships.
We focus on delivering the best possible outcomes, telling you what you need to know, not what you want to hear.
We work with local authorities, trusts, sports clubs, schools and developers looking for a market leading solution.
Sport and Physical Activity Needs Assessment
Leisure Services Procurement
Leisure Services Procurement
Strategic support
Procurement
Options Appraisal for Future Leisure Investment
Procurement Support
Leisure, Sport and Physical Activity Strategy
Strategy and Procurement
Feasibility support
Strategic and procurement support
Sheffield City Council – Facilities Review
“SLC are amongst the best sport and leisure consultants I have worked with over my many years in the business. I would strongly recommend them to other local authorities.”
Ebbsfleet Development Corporation – Sport and Physical Activity Strategy
“The team at SLC produced an insightful report which will support our corporate decision making process to ensure that the built and natural environments at Ebbsfleet help create active communities. SLC went above and beyond to ensure that our needs as their client were met and have helped us to identify our next steps in order to deliver the strategy.”
Islington Council – Sport and Physical Activity Needs Assessment
“SLC produced a comprehensive report that gives a clear analysis of inactivity in Islington and what can be done to address it. Its recommendations are a major component in the Proactive Islington Strategy.”
Waverley Borough Council – Cranleigh Leisure Centre Options Appraisal
“SLC fully met our project brief and expectations, providing exceptional quality of work and value for money. Their outstanding industry knowledge and experience was reflected in their work and provided invaluable re-assurance to the Council. Toby and his colleagues were very professional and accommodating at adapting to necessary changes in the project remit. Waverley was extremely satisfied with all elements of the project and it has been a pleasure to work with SLC on this project from start to finish.”
Watford Borough Council – Woodside Playing Fields Masterplan
“SLC and their team of architects and landscape architects adopted a very thorough and robust approach to the project which has resulted in an exciting masterplan for Woodside Playing Fields. The facility developments were based upon a comprehensive needs analysis, supported by stakeholder consultation and backed up by detailed costings and business plans which provided us with confidence to take the project forward. The masterplan has subsequently been approved by Cabinet and we have now engaged SLC to undertake wider public engagement on the proposals. Toby and the team are great to work with, extremely professional and delivered consistently high quality outputs at every stage.”
North Kesteven District Council – Sport and Physical Activity Strategy, Options Appraisal and Procurement
“The Sport and PA Strategy, produced by SLC, was the key strategic document to enable the realignment of the new sports and culture contract. The team’s knowledge on not only procuring a new leisure service, but the key documents required to get the right outcomes, is fantastic.
In terms of the savings that the Council has made from the procurement of the leisure contracts, we could not be happier. The cost to the Council for the fees, documentation and support compared to the saving over 10 years is insignificant. The service has been fantastic, from early morning emails to last minute emergency conference calls, I have felt supported throughout the process.”
Slough Borough Council – Procurement of a Leisure Operator
“SLC were an absolute pleasure to work with. Expert advice with a supportive and friendly approach – we couldn’t have asked for more. Toby and the team worked tirelessly to help achieve an exceptional result for Slough, their knowledge and expertise was invaluable. We would highly recommend SLC to anybody looking for procurement support and look forward to working with them again in the future.”
Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils – Leisure Facilities Strategy and Leisure, Sport & Physical Activity Strategy
“This is the second time that our joint Councils have engaged SLC to undertake a major piece of work for us which is testament in itself. SLC bring such a personal and bespoke approach to their work and you genuinely feel they are working with you rather than for you.
Many consultants just produce a piece of work for you whereas Duncan and his team ensure they really get to understand your requirements and work with you to achieve your objective. In times when we do not have the internal resources and expertise their approach feels like a temporary extension of your own resources which results in a more personal outcome.”
Watford Borough Council – Procurement of a Leisure Operator
“The team provided expert advice and current market insight at every step of the way, including the development of clear strategic priorities, an innovative service specification and a procurement strategy which secured engagement from bidders despite a highly competitive and busy market. Their professional but supportive and friendly approach means that they’re easy to work with, accessible and extremely reliable.
The result was outstanding, exceeding all expectations – revenue savings of over £10M over the term of the contract, reduced risk to the Council and a new robust and innovative specification which extends the reach and impact of the service. We couldn’t have asked for more from SLC and would highly recommend them to anybody looking for procurement support.”
Westway Trust – Procurement of a Leisure Operator
“SLC provided initial procurement project insight as part of our wider review of our sports strategy and enabled us to gain sign off from our Trustees to progress with the partnering of our sports provision. The additional procurement work performed by SLC to assist us in procuring our operating partner was instrumental and has helped to shape the future of our sports under the Westway. Overall, we are very grateful for the advice and continued support and look forward to working with SLC again in the future.”
Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead – Leisure Regeneration Support
“I don’t think you’ll regret using SLC. My personal view, is that compared to another consultancy the Council have used on leisure matters, they are head and shoulders above them in terms of market knowledge and reporting.”
Worcester City Council – Procurement of a Leisure Operator
“The Cabinet were extremely pleased with the outcome of the procurement exercise, and Officers and I want to record our appreciation of the hard work of your team in helping to achieve such an excellent outcome.”
Canterbury City Council – Feasibility Study
“SLC brought significant knowledge and experience to Canterbury’s review into its leisure facilities. Always very professional, there was a real sense of ownership of the issues and a determination to do the best possible job for the client. Canterbury City Council now has a much clearer understanding of the issues it faces going forward and, crucially, a clear direction based on SLC’s recommendations.”
On 9 October 2019, representatives from eight Local Authorities from across England participated in an engaging day of learning and knowledge sharing on ‘Optimising your Leisure Procurement’.
This Think Tank seminar, facilitated by SLC Directors David Rushton and Toby Kingsbury, provided a platform to share best practice approaches to procuring successful leisure partnerships…
On 19 September 2019, 11 Local Authorities and Organisations from across England participated in a day of learning and knowledge sharing with SLC’s Directors on ‘Optimising your Leisure Management Partnership’.
Guest speakers from SLC Strategic Partners Tillr and 4Global provided insight from the latest sector thinking.
Duncan Wood-Allum explains why there is no better time for local authorities to start taking a more strategic approach to planning their future sport, physical activity and leisure services.
Over the last five years in the midst of the most challenging financial cuts, there has been a great deal of learning across the sector and some local authorities have been having a big impact in the most difficult circumstances…