About the client
Our client is a local government body that coordinates and delivers public transport and related infrastructure across the ten boroughs of Greater Manchester in North West England. They’re leading the development of an integrated network of buses, trams, cycling and walking routes with unified fares and ticketing.
Business challenge
Managing and delivering a high-volume public grant scheme
Our client launched an £8 million government-funded initiative to help eligible taxi drivers replace non-compliant vehicles with cleaner alternatives that meet Greater Manchester licensing emission standards.
This fund plays a critical role in reducing nitrogen dioxide levels across the region and in meeting legal air quality limits by 2026.
To deliver the scheme effectively, our client partnered with GC Business Finance to manage the entire funding lifecycle, from applications and eligibility checks to grant approvals.
Given the expected volume of applications and the need for accuracy, consistency, and auditability throughout the process, they reached out to GoodCore to design and build a custom digital portal that could streamline fund management and support the successful delivery of the scheme.
Project goals
The project entailed the following requirements:
- Applicant portal to allow taxi drivers to check eligibility, submit applications, upload supporting documents, and track application status.
- Admin portal with role-based access to support different user roles, provide full visibility across three application rounds, and enable review, approval, rejection, and management of applications at each stage.
- Intuitive UI and UX design to accommodate users with varying levels of digital confidence, minimise errors, and ensure a smooth experience for both applicants and administrators.
- Secure and scalable platform capable of handling sensitive personal data while supporting future growth and policy changes.
The solution
Applicant Portal
The applicant portal provides taxi drivers with a clear, guided, and accessible experience, enabling them to check eligibility, submit applications, and track progress with minimal friction.
Eligibility check and account creation
Applicants begin by completing a two-point eligibility check using their application reference number and vehicle licence plate. Only drivers who pass this validation can proceed with account creation.
Guided application journey
Once signed in, applicants are guided through a step-by-step application journey. The portal supports both single and multiple vehicle scenarios and adapts the flow based on the applicant’s situation.
Secure document upload and review
Applicants upload required supporting documents using clearly defined file formats, size limits, and rules. A final review step allows applicants to check and confirm their information before submission.
Application tracking and evidence submission
After submission, applicants can track their application status in real time and view funding approval notices. Once approved, the portal enables submission of vehicle purchase and licensing evidence.
The Solution
Admin Portal
The admin portal is the operational backbone of the funding scheme, enabling the GC Business Finance team to manage applications across multiple funding rounds. It supports end-to-end grant administration, from initial review through to payment and audit readiness.
Role-based access: The platform supports distinct user roles, primarily Grant Administrators and Grant Managers, each with clearly defined permissions.
Centralised dashboard: A comprehensive dashboard provides real-time visibility into application volumes and statuses, including draft, acceptance pending, evidence review, approved, rejected, and paid
Application listing and workflow management: Applications are organised into an inbox-style listing with advanced filters, search, and flag indicators such as paid status, vehicle mismatch, and wheelchair accessibility.
Multi-level review and approval process: The admin panel supports a structured two-stage review workflow. Grant Administrators carry out first-level checks and recommendations, while Grant Managers perform second-level approvals, generate formal funding approval notices, and issue applicant communications.
Evidence review and audit trail: Once applications are approved, administrators can review evidence submission, uploaded purchase documents, approve final grant amounts, and mark applications as paid. All actions, notes, and document uploads are logged automatically, creating a full audit trail to support transparency and reporting.
The impact
- The platform enabled our client to manage the full £8 million funding scheme digitally, reducing manual processing and administrative overhead.
- Hundreds of taxi drivers are supported through a clear, guided application process, improving accessibility and reducing errors in submissions.
- Multi stage approvals, automated notifications, and real time status tracking significantly shorten application review and decision timelines.
- Built in audit trails and reporting improve transparency and support compliance with public funding and the initiative’s requirements.
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