Hanson Cement Investigation: Community Engagement and Consultation

1. Hanson Cement Investigation: Community Engagement and Consultation 11 October 2011 Presenter: Angela Jones, Consultant in Public Health Presenter: Angela Jones, Consultant in Public Health

2. Aims • Background to concerns • Minister’s request • Multi Agency Investigation Response Team • ATSDR –Public Health Assessment • Communications • Community Engagement • Initial • Phase 1: Understand concerns • Phase 2: Outcomes of Investigation • Reflections Presenter: Angela Jones, Consultant in Public Health

3. Background to concerns • Concerned about higher level of disease in the local community • Cancer cluster investigation 2000 • Protests about proposed new Kiln • Public Inquiry • New Kiln commissioned 2005 • Further pollutant incidents – dioxins, dusts • Did not feel concerns were addressed Presenter: Angela Jones, Consultant in Public Health

4. Minister’s Request Public Health Wales to work with other interested agencies and the local communityto gain a better understanding of the health concerns associated with the cement works, and provide appropriate expert advice and support in response. (letter 26 April 2010). Presenter: Angela Jones, Consultant in Public Health

5. Investigation Response Team & Sub Groups • Chair DPH • Public Health Wales, • Betsi Cadwaladr UHB • Health Protection Agency • Environment Agency Wales • Food Standards Agency • Health and Safety Agency • Communication sub group and • Community engagement sub group • Environmental health risk assessment sub group • Health information sub group Presenter: Angela Jones, Consultant in Public Health

6. Meetings in/with Public • Investigation Response Team met in public on 5 occasions, in the presence of more than 20 community representatives. • Chair met between meetings with: • Town and Community Councils • The County Council • MPs & AMs. • Experts from Public Health Wales facilitated community engagement processes with representatives of local community groups Presenter: Angela Jones, Consultant in Public Health

7. Natural sources Evaluation & Feedback Other contaminant evaluation Presenter: Angela Jones, Consultant in Public Health

8. Broader Communications • 7 press releases • 19,000 resident newsletters x5 • All press releases, newsletters, minutes, reports and presentations on website • Media sessions precede IRT meetings in public Presenter: Angela Jones, Consultant in Public Health

9. Purpose: To fully understand the concerns and views of the local community To reach into the community through a range of methods To put health in the context of the wider determinants of health To build trust and to advocate on behalf of the community To inform the work of other sub groups Feedback to the community Community Engagement – Phase 1 Presenter: Angela Jones, Consultant in Public Health

10. ATSDR - internationally recognised 6 Focus Groups– 107 Community groups 1 Focus group – Hanson employees 2 Drop in sessions 7 Walkabouts Telephone answer machine Written contact points May – November Letters/questionnaires 47 Primary care 10 School councils and youth service Advertised 19,600 newsletters, 40 posters 4 Press Releases – reported locally in press Flintshire CYP web forum and newsletter Methods Presenter: Angela Jones, Consultant in Public Health

11. Engagement TOTAL 175 responders + 34 declined to participate • 6 Focus Groups offered (11/107 Community groups) • 1 Hanson Staff Focus Group • 2 Drop in sessions (25) • 7 Walkabouts (70 responses + 34 declined) • 56 Written contacts (42 residents, 11 elected, 3 other organisations) • 7 Telephone messages • Letters/questionnaires • 6/47 Primary care • 0/10 school councils and youth service Presenter: Angela Jones, Consultant in Public Health

12. Public reach • Focus groups • average age 67 • Census – biggest population 30-44 yrs • Male 56%: female 47% • Drop in sessions and walkabout • 43% retired • Census – 62% population employed • No engagement from children and young people Presenter: Angela Jones, Consultant in Public Health

13. Community concerns raised Common themes raised • Health • Emissions • Monitoring • Other Feedback to communities – Questions of community concern Presenter: Angela Jones, Consultant in Public Health

14. Conclusions • A significant number of people chose not to express their views to us • There is some evidence that people do not have concerns • Of those who do have concerns the main concerns are: • Health, in particular cancer and respiratory disease • Emissions, particularly dust • Monitoring and regulation of the site Presenter: Angela Jones, Consultant in Public Health

15. Community Engagement : Phase 2 Provide the local community and other stakeholders • Opportunity to consider the results of the public health assessment and the IRT’s conclusions and recommendations, and to provide additional comments • Clarify any uncertainties • Health education opportunity Presenter: Angela Jones, Consultant in Public Health

16. Reflections of the approach Not complete yet but: • Good engagement of local Community Reps • Open – info shared when available • Addressing all concerns – documented & agreed • Engaging wider than initial interested groups • Wider interest – media fair reporting • Evaluation – community engagement & economic Taking community on the journey… Presenter: Angela Jones, Consultant in Public Health

17. Acknowledgements • Investigation Response Team • Communications team • Community Engagement and Consultation sub group • Local Implementation group • Analysts • Community Representatives • The Public Presenter: Angela Jones, Consultant in Public Health