Posted: Fri 22nd May 2015

Wrexham’s Communities Seeing Added Benefits From Housing Spend

Wrexham.com for people living in or visiting the Wrexham area
This article is old - Published: Friday, May 22nd, 2015

Local communities around Wrexham have been receiving some extra benefits as a result of the extensive spending programme Wrexham Council Housing Department are undergoing to bring their social housing stock up to the Welsh Housing Quality Standard by 2020.

The ‘Community Benefits’ project was originally introduced by the Welsh Government as a way of ensuring local economies see the maximum value from the money being spent on housing improvement work which is being undertaken across Wales.

It is estimated that around £118m will be spent over the next few years to bring Wrexham’s 11,300 social housing properties up to standard.

In order to maximise the potential Community Benefits which this spending could achieve, Wrexham Housing now include clauses in all their major contracts, requiring firms carrying out housing improvement works to ‘give something extra’ back to the local community in return for the work being offered. This can be done in numerous ways, such as setting up funding schemes for a local community group, offering work experience programmes, and employing a local workforce.

Over the last 12 months Community Benefit schemes have resulted in
• 114 weeks of work experience provided
• 36 employees have been provided with short term employment
• 34 employees have been given long term employment
• £63,197 has been donated as cash or in-kind to organizations or projects within Wales

Modern Apprenticeships are one of the significant success stories of the Community Benefit Schemes.

James Riley is one of 36 apprentices employed by Wrexham Housing’s various contractors. Wrexham born James, 19 is currently completing an Apprenticeship scheme, specializing in painting and decorating for Novus Solutions, a firm who are currently heavily involved in Wrexham Housing’s extensive Kitchens and Bathrooms replacement programme.

The scheme has given James the chance to get paid employment, on the job training, and focus his career path.

James said: “After I finished school, I did a BTECH in construction, while working part time in a cafe. I still wasn’t completely sure what career I wanted to go for at that point. Then, a relative suggested trying out for a Modern Apprentice post. I found this one, and managed to get the job.

“Studying in college is one thing, but the advantage here is the experience you get from actually working on site with professional colleagues.”

The apprenticeship has allowed James to take part in the international charity work which Novus are involved with, travelling to locations in Holland and Slovenia, and learning about the international construction industry. James was also highly commended in Novus’ Apprentice of the Year awards.

James added: “My Apprenticeship has helped me a lot in deciding where I want to go with my career. Once I’ve completed my NVQ here, I’m hoping to move onto a Level 3 HNC and progress from there.”

As well as taking on Modern Apprentices, Novus Solutions are also involved in other Community Benefit schemes including a sponsorship deal with Wrexham’s Rugby League Youth Team, the Wrexham Bradley Raiders.

Other local schemes that have benefited from deals with Wrexham Housing Department’s contractors over the last 12 months include the Community Garden Project at Plas Pentwyn in Coedpoeth, which received funding from Travis Perkins Group Managed Services, and Wrexham’s Under-19’s Youth Ruby Team, who have received a sponsorship deal from Kaefer, a firm who manage Asbestos removal on behalf of Wrexham Housing Department.



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