Ground Investigation and Options Appraisal - 2004-2006

Client:	Wigan & Leigh Housing (WALH)		Project period:	2004 - 2006
Project:	Independent Residents Adviser		Contract value:	£55,000

Background

WALH appointed Temple to act as Independent Residents Adviser to over 320 familes living on an estate with ground settlement problems and possible historic contamination.

Prior to Temple’s involvement a consultant performed a preliminary ground investigation and risk assessment and made recommendations that included widespread demolition and remedial works.  WALH and Wigan MBC decided to commission a detailed risk assessment and remedial options appraisal.  That study is being carried out by Mouchel Parkman. Temple are ensuring effective communication in order that residents are integral to the option appraisal and decision making process.

Temple’s Role and Services

At Ince, Temple’s small team consists of housing and environmental professionals.  We work very closely with a dedicated tenants and owners who have formed a Residents Liaison Group (RLG).  Temple chair weekly meetings of the RLG and help produce a regular informative newsletter on behalf of RLG which is circulated to all the residents. The residents trust us to provide them with accurate information and impartial advice on a very broad range of topics related to the investigation and options appraisal.  We also:

• staff a drop-in centre on the estate;
• assist residents who call a dedicated freephone advice line; and
• present at meetings open to tenants and owners.

Temple have applied a range of innovative approaches to engage with the local community in order to build capacity in order that a long term relationship can develop between residents and WALH, in particular we have:

• secured IT resources for local residents to use to develop their skills and produce their own material;
• worked with the PCT to arrange a health awareness day for residents;
• set up a local history day in order to secure information from older residents, but also to ensure their understanding and engagement in the process;
• facilitated open meetings for different interest groups;
• facilitated workshop sessions for residents and others in order to learn about option appraisal in order to inform better decision making; and
• provided the option for local young people to develop a web site about the estate and their feelings about the locality and the potential contamination.

Whilst some agencies perceive Temple primarily as an information and advice service, the residents view us as their trusted adviser.  We have developed a detailed understanding of their requirements, concerns and aspirations.  This knowledge and our role on the options appraisal team ensures that residents play as full a role as possible in selecting a preferred option for remediation.

Benefits

By appointing Temple, WALH benefit from:

• experience gained on similar contracts;
• excellent communication skills;
• Innovation in consultation;
• more effective dialogue with residents; and
• enhanced trust.

“They're fantastic all round, because they've done extremely well in really hard conditions that we have here on this Estate."

 Ince Central Estate

PC002 & PR008