Fortismere Associates is well placed to help local authorities to increase the efficiency, effectiveness and quality of their services.

As a consultancy we are able to draw on:

• in-depth practical knowledge of local authority structures, systems and funding regimes – both capital and revenue. We are able to help local authorities to understand costs; to benchmark against others; and to establish where efficiencies or cost savings can be made

• experience of planning service management, including configuration of the service; administrative processes; development management procedures; and process mapping for efficient handling of planning applications

• practical experience of handling planning applications and development, pre-application procedures, Section 106 and the tariff approach (Community Infrastructure Levy) to securing developer contributions towards infrastructure and affordable housing

• skills in partnership building, facilitation, negotiation, mediation, complaint resolution and engagement – all of which encourage and support cooperation across professions, services, agencies, politicians and the community