Project
Digital Cheshire ERDF Summative Assessment
Cheshire East Council
Lichfields were commissioned by Cheshire East Council to undertake a Summative Assessment of the Digital Cheshire Project. Starting in 2020, Digital Cheshire was a three-year programme designed to provide digital support to SMEs and local entrepreneurs, enabling them to adopt and utilise digital technologies, ultimately leading to digital-led business growth. The programme was delivered across the Cheshire and Warrington LEP area, covering the following local authorities: Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester, and Warrington.
The project comprised two key complementary areas that would enable SMEs to adopt modern digital technologies and improve both their competitiveness and productivity: A digital infrastructure component focusing on broadband deployment and a digital business support component.
Consultations were undertaken with the programme management and delivery staff. These consultations were undertaken to understand their views on how the programme was run and the impacts that it was having on the beneficiary businesses. Wider consultation was also undertaken with local and regional stakeholders to understand the role and function of the project in supporting wider strategic and economic ambitions.
Consultations were undertaken with the programme management and delivery staff. These consultations were undertaken to understand their views on how the programme was run and the impacts that it was having on the beneficiary businesses. Wider consultation was also undertaken with local and regional stakeholders to understand the role and function of the project in supporting wider strategic and economic ambitions.
Beneficiary e-surveys developed by Lichfields, covering aspects of delivery and the impact of the support on beneficiaries were disseminated by the Digital Cheshire team to gather feedback from those SMEs supported by the programme. Select completed surveys were also followed up with telephone conversations enabling beneficiaries to elaborate on certain issues and the reasons behind survey responses.
A small number of SME phone interviews were further developed into case studies to showcase the difference that working with Digital Cheshire made to those businesses. Survey responses and project monitoring information system data were also subject to textual and quantitative analysis and trends identified within a regional and national context utilising national datasets.
Finally, government guidance and good practice relating to economic impacts was used to fully capture the direct, indirect, and induced employment and GVA, both achieved to date and those predicted to materialise in the future as a result of the project. This value was then related to the investment to demonstrate the economic benefits of the project relative to the financial costs.
The final output was a detailed summative assessment report delivered to Cheshire East and DLUHC which provided a comprehensive assessment of the project, exploring the successes and best practice approaches learned through delivery, as well as identifying challenges and the reflections on these in line with ERDF Summative Assessment and HMT Magenta Book guidance.
Lichfields worked to tight deadlines to produce the report on a live project over a complex landscape that spanned 4 Local Authorities to ensure that all the information within was up to date and relevant. Lichfields demonstrated a high level of professionalism and expertise in their approach. The team exhibited a profound understanding of the intricacies involved in creating a comprehensive summative assessment report, showcasing their commitment to delivering a high-quality service ensuring that the work was carried out quickly. Overall, expectations were exceeded in terms of the depth of analysis and the clarity of presentation in the report.
In conclusion, the body of work carried out by the team has been second to none and I have no hesitation in recommending Lichfields to any other projects who are looking for similar work. Their dedication to excellence, coupled with their professionalism and collaborative approach, sets them apart as a reliable partner in delivering high-quality assessment reports that can drive organisational success.
In conclusion, the body of work carried out by the team has been second to none and I have no hesitation in recommending Lichfields to any other projects who are looking for similar work. Their dedication to excellence, coupled with their professionalism and collaborative approach, sets them apart as a reliable partner in delivering high-quality assessment reports that can drive organisational success.
Phil Law, Senior Investment Manager, Cheshire East Council