From Complexity to Clarity

A focused advisory-plus-writing service for public sector work

It can be difficult to transform your expertise, knowledge and ideas into a strategy, plan or report – in the format required by your organisation.

That’s where I come in.

I help subject matter experts and policy advisers create clear documents, providing a solid foundation for decision-making.

The outcome

By the end of this process, you’ll have:

• A clear, agreed understanding of what the document needs to achieve

• A structure that supports the topic and makes it easy for decision‑makers to grasp the key points

• A well‑written draft you can safely circulate to managers, elected members, stakeholders and the public

• Clear next steps – so that your document makes a genuine difference.

Who this is for

This service is for subject‑matter experts and policy advisers who:

• are juggling meetings, urgent requests and often working in open plan environments; and

• know what needs to be said — but don’t have uninterrupted time to shape it into the required format.

You might already have: piles of background material, partial drafts, lots of good thinking spread across documents, feedback saved in emails, and people to seek advice from.

You don’t lack expertise. You just don’t have the time and space needed to synthesise multiple sources of information, to think deeply about that information before reaching conclusions and to share your thnking via a clear, cohesive narrative.

How the service works

This is an advisory‑plus‑implementation service designed to move complex work forward quickly. Here’s how it works.

1. Decision framing (advisory)

We start by getting clear on: the real problem you’re trying to solve and the decision(s) this document needs to support.

This gives us a shared understanding of what’s required to ensure you receive a fit-for-purpose document.

2. Structure

I come up with a structure that: meets legislative and/or organisational requirements, and gives decision‑makers the key points they need to consider without burying them in detail.

3. Research, synthesis and drafting

(implementation)

I take responsibility for:

• identifying and filling any critical information gaps (if needed)

• synthesising all relevant information

• drafting clear, plain-English content that reflects agreed priorities

• integrating feedback (up to two review rounds).

The result is a document that’s ready for internal review, consultation or formal sign‑off.

4. Decision summary and handover

Depending on the context, I’ll provide either:

• a short executive summary within the document, or

• a separate ‘handover’ memo (typically 2–4 pages).

This will:

• summarise the key issues and conclusions

• clearly set out any decisions still required

• flag risks, dependencies, or trade-offs decision-makers should be aware of

• recommend practical next steps (who needs to decide what, and when).

This means:

• senior leaders can quickly orient themselves

• unresolved choices are made visible (not buried)

• the work is easier to move into the next stage – approval, consultation, or implementation.

How we work together

• A clear project plan covering process, timelines and fees – agreed upfront.

• One clear decision‑owner on your side.

• An agreed communication process for meetings, project updates and questions.

Where relevant to your project, this service can also include:

• preparing a consultation document or community engagement plan

• supporting stakeholder or sector engagement

• summarising submissions and drafting deliberations reports.

What this is not

This service does not include:

• primary data collection

• consensus‑building within your organisation

• unlimited revisions

• implementation of the recommendations.

Typical uses of this service

Clients use this service to develop:

• advisory reports

• strategies, policies and plans

• asset management plans (with subject matter experts)

• draft structures for complex statutory documents.

The document format will vary to meet your needs. But the goal is always the same: a clear, decision-ready document that enables you to move forward with confidence.

About me

I’m Debra Bradley, founder of Writing for Councils.

For more than a decade, I’ve worked alongside council staff, advisers and managers to help them: make sense of complex information; uncover the key issues; and communicate clearly with decision‑makers.

My role sits between subject-matter expertise and on-the-ground delivery – helping turn deep knowledge into a clear, usable document that supports real decisions.

A simple next step

If you have a new or stalled document on your to-do list and want to make progress on it:

1. We’ll discuss your project, the timeline and any specific requirements.

2. If we decide this service is a good fit, I’ll develop a proposal and project plan for you to consider.

3. If you decide to go ahead, we’ll get underway.

Ready to move forward?

Get in touch to arrange an initial, no-obligation conversation.

Email: debra.bradley@writingforcouncils.co.nz

Phone: 021 215 4698