Alton Renewal Plan - Community Panel, Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Alton Renewal Plan (ARP)?
The ARP is a new programme of work being led by Wandsworth Council for the Alton Estate. The programme aims to join up services across the Council to provide a set of projects that create improvements to the estate which we hope address local needs and priorities. View the Alton Renewal Plan by clicking on the link above.
Why is a community panel being created
The Council wants to shift towards a more ‘co-design’ way of working, enabling the community to have a meaningful influence on the work taking place in their neighbourhood. We think a community panel will provide one way to do this.
What is the purpose of the panel and what will it be able to achieve?
The panel provides an opportunity for community members, Council officers and design team professionals to come together to review and shape the work taking place on The Alton. The panel will participate in all aspects of the ARP, including the new housing, library and community building. The panel will be involved in decision making across the programme and officers will clearly set out the degree of influence that the panel can have over different aspects of renewal.
Who is eligible to become a panel member and what will the role involve?
If you live on the Alton Estate, you are eligible to apply. You will bring your own individual experience and views to the panel. While we hope you will be thinking about the greater good, and how renewal can benefit the wider community, you are not expected to be a spokesperson for any particular group, or for residents as a whole.
The Council and design team members will share information with you about the projects taking place on the estate and we expect you to read and review information shared ahead of any meetings or workshops. We will support you to do this and take any feedback on the type of and volume of information shared.
You will work with the Council and other panel members to review, advise and make decisions about the projects taking place on the Alton Estate.
We will work to ensure that panel members:
- Feel listened to by the Council and treated as equals and partners.
- See tangible evidence of having played a role in decision-making.
- See visible changes on the estate that feel appropriate to the community and something to be proud of.
- Have increased understanding of how development works, and of Council processes.
- Feel empowered, represented and motivated.
How much of my time will be needed?
The panel is a pilot project for Wandsworth Council and will initially meet from April to December 2025. At this point we will reflect on what has worked well and review any changes needed for the panel to continue.
On a monthly basis, between April and December, we expect there to be a minimum of 4 hours required. This would be 2 hours for the monthly meeting, 1 hour preparation and 1 hour follow up. There may be additional meetings, events and activities outside of these core meetings. The date and times for meetings will be agreed when the panel has been recruited to ensure they best meet the needs of the individuals.
How will I be paid and will this affect my benefits?
You will be paid the London Living Wage (currently £13.85 per hour) for all your time involved in the panel. For example, any preparation, reading, tasks outside of meetings, travel and attendance at meetings. You will be expected to complete a monthly timesheet, and you will be paid directly into your bank account.
If you receive State benefits, it is your responsibility to inform the appropriate agency of any payment, which must be declared under the terms of that benefit. The payment for being a panel member is for involvement, and you will be acting as an independent advisor – you will not be considered as entering into an employment relationship with the Council. If you are concerned that this may have an impact on your benefits, please speak to Jo Baxter in the first instance who can direct you to the appropriate organisation. For example, if you are a Wandsworth Council tenant our Financial Inclusion team will be able to provide support.
I’ve never been on panel before, what support can the Council provide?
We want to ensure that anyone who lives on the Alton Estate has the opportunity to join this panel and feels comfortable working with us. There will be a dedicated member of Council staff, Jo Baxter, who can provide individual support to panel members outside of the meetings.
If you have any access or inclusion needs, please let us know as we are aiming for a genuinely representative panel and will accommodate individual needs. For example, childcare, sign language interpreter etc.
We will provide ongoing training in response to the focus of the meetings and requirements and requests from the panel. This could include, but is not limited to, reading architectural plans, understanding the role of value engineering, Local Authority decision making processes, social value policy and design principles.
Who will be on the panel and what will their roles look like?
Resident panel members
15 individuals who live on The Alton Estate.
Third Party Chair, Daisy Froud
- Prepare panel meetings based on the ARP programme and panel members feedback and priorities.
- Chair monthly meetings.
- Provide follow up notes and actions from the meetings
Wandsworth Council officers
Kate Batchelor, Programme Manager
- Overarching responsibility for the Community Panel
- Will help to shape the panel’s programme reflecting the ARP programme and panel members feedback and priorities.
- Support the Councils ARP project leads to engage with the panel, share information and explore shared decision making opportunities.
Jo Baxter, Community Engagement & Cultural Coordinator, Alton
- Support Kate and the Chair in the administration of the panel.
- Work closely with community panel members outside of panel meetings, providing tailored support and opportunities for individuals to share their feedback.
Rotating membership for Council officers leading ARP projects
- Share information on projects
- Offer opportunities for panel feedback, involvement and decision making
HTA Architects, leading the new housing programme
Lucy Smith – Partner, Communications, Engagement and Interior Design
- As the housing programme is a significant part of the ARP, Lucy will join the panel every month to share information on the project as well as provide opportunities for meaningful engagement and decision making from the panel.
If you would like to find out more about community panels, please see weblinks below:
The self-titled Community Design Collective for Peabody speak about their experience in this short video.
Future of London have information and case studies here.
If you have any questions about this form or the community panel, please contact Jo Baxter who will be happy to help.
Call her on 020 8871 6207.
Jo will also be available to help anyone with the application form during our events on 5th March:
- From 11am - 12.30pm at the Alton Activity Centre during the Women's Coffee Morning
- From 3pm-5pm at Roehampton Library during the public drop-in event
Alton Renewal Plan - Community Panel Application Form
Our deadline for applications is Monday 17 March 2025.