Dyffryn Rhondda Colliery Tip Stabilisation:
A Commitment to Social Value and Community Engagement
Neath Port Talbot Council consider community benefits to be defined as the positive impact on local people and local communities. One of the key ways to achieve this is by actively enhancing the wider social, economic and environmental impacts of the goods, services and works that we as a Council procure, and the organisations we do business with. As such, we encourage contractors and suppliers to consider these impacts when awarded Council contracts.
Community Benefits Officer, Karen Todd, worked closely with Walters UK Ltd on the recently completed Dyffryn Rhondda Colliery Tip Stabilisation Scheme, a project funded by Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council and the Welsh Government through the Coal Tip Safety Grant, to ensure delivery of community benefits on the project. With a strong focus on community engagement, local opportunities, and long-term sustainability, the project has not only been a technical success, but also a significant contributor to the social and economic wellbeing of the local area.
Successful Completion and Commitment to Quality
The Dyffryn Rhondda project was delivered on time, under budget, and met all quality standards. There were no major RIDDOR Health & Safety incidents, further demonstrating the Council’s and Walters’ commitment to safety and quality throughout the project’s lifespan.
Additionally, Walters UK LTD received an outstanding score of 43 out of 45 in the Considerate Constructors Scheme, which highlights the project’s strong community and environmental considerations. This marks a tremendous achievement for a project of this scale and complexity.
Aligning with well-being goals
Our procurement approach aligns closely with the Welsh Government’s Well-being of Future Generations Act.
We have adopted three key well-being objectives from the act:
1. To improve the wellbeing of young people and children
2. To improve the wellbeing of all adults who live in Neath Port Talbot
3. To develop the local economy and environment so that the wellbeing of people can be improved
These objectives were integrated into the project, guiding the Council and Walters’ efforts to contribute positively to the community and create long-lasting benefits.
Targeted Recruitment and Training (TR&T)
A key component of the project’s success was its focus on Targeted Recruitment and Training. At the tender stage, a target of 26 weeks of employment for new entrants per £1m contract value was set, totalling 130 person weeks. By the project’s completion, an impressive 179 person weeks had been achieved, exceeding expectations.
This success was driven by a strong commitment to local employment and skills development. The project saw the employment of:
– Two Apprentice Civil Engineers (80 weeks)
– One Apprentice Quantity Surveyor (27 weeks, through a shared apprentice scheme with Cyfle)
– Two long-term unemployed local persons (65 weeks)
– One Work Experience Engineer (7 weeks during the summer)
Supporting Local Businesses
The Dyffryn Rhondda project focused on providing opportunities for local suppliers. All but one of the subcontractors used were local SMEs based in South Wales, with a quarter of these based in Neath Port Talbot County. The only exception was a specialist contractor who had no South Wales-based alternatives, ensuring that most subcontracting opportunities benefited the local economy.
School Engagement
Walters took a proactive role in engaging with local schools to inspire and educate the next generation of engineers. Partnering with Ysgol Bro Dur and Ysgol Cwm Brombil, Walters acted as Social Value Partners for the year and organised various events to introduce students to the world of engineering, such as:
– Introduction to Engineering and Project Presentations (Ysgol Bro Dur and Ysgol Cwm Brombil)
– ‘The Building Game’ activity in collaboration with Careers Wales (Ysgol Bro Dur)
– Sports Team Kit Sponsorship (Ysgol Bro Dur)
– Site Safety, Environmental and Project Explanation Site Visit Tour (Ysgol Cwm Brombil)
– One-week Work Experience for Students (Ysgol Cwm Brombil)
– Engineering Career Talk and Q&A (Ysgol Cwm Brombil)
The project also facilitated hands-on learning experiences, including a site walk and equipment operation demonstration with students from Ysgol Cwm Brombil. These activities and initiatives provided an insight to the construction and engineering sectors for local students.
Community Engagement and Contributions
Beyond engaging with local schools, the contractor continued to support the local community throughout the project through a variety of community activities, such as:
– Collaborating with Afan Valley Volunteering Group to maintain local meadows, clear ditches, and install fencing
– Restoring the Dyffryn Rhondda Colliery Monument
– Ongoing communication with the Afan Valley Angling & Conservation Club, including placing fish resting bays in the River Afan
– Sponsoring the local female rounder team, ‘Valley Vipers’
– Installing nature interpretation boards along the Afan Valley Cycleway
– Drainage works for the Coeden Bywyd Horse Project, a local charity
– Erecting notice boards at key site boundaries to keep the public informed about project progress
These community initiatives reflect the Council and Walters commitment to making a positive impact on the people and environment of Neath Port Talbot.
The Dyffryn Rhondda Colliery Tip Stabilisation Scheme has been a remarkable project, not only in terms of its technical delivery but also in its social value contribution. Through working closely with Walters UK LTD, we have demonstrated that large-scale construction projects can provide significant benefits to local communities: from employment and training to educational and environmental support, playing a part in shaping a more sustainable and vibrant future for the area.
