About the Project

The Thames Tideway Tunnel (‘the project’) is a major infrastructure project urgently needed to protect the tidal River Thames from increasing pollution. London’s sewerage system is no longer fit for purpose and spills tens of millions of tonnes of untreated sewage mixed with rainwater (combined sewage) into the tidal reaches of the River Thames every year. The project is the largest in the history of the privatised water industry and is the UK’s largest ever waste water infrastructure project.

For further information on Tideway please refer to our website: https://www.tideway.london

The Thames Tideway Tunnel will control combined sewer overflow (CSO) discharges by intercepting and diverting combined sewage flows into a new tunnel system for storage and transfer for treatment. The tunnel system will consist of connection tunnels and a main tunnel that will run from Acton Storm Tanks in west London to Abbey Mills Pumping Station in the east, where it will connect to the Lee Tunnel, which will transfer the flows to Beckton Sewage Treatment works for treatment.

Bazalgette Tunnel Limited (BTL), is the Infrastructure Provider licenced by Ofwat and set up to finance, build, maintain and operate the Thames Tideway Tunnel on behalf of Thames Water Utilities Limited. From Licence Award, BTL trades and is known the public as ‘Tideway’. Pursuant to a Development Consent Order (DCO) which granted Thames Water development consent for the Project, Thames Water Utilities Limited entered into a Legal Agreement for the securing of Off-site Mitigation Policies and Resources with various relevant Local Planning Authorities (the Section 106 Agreement).

The Non-Statutory Off-Site Mitigation and Compensation Policy (NSOMCP) and through it the Independent Compensation Panel (ICP) are requirements of the DCO and is secured by the Section 106 Agreement. The NSOMCP sets out what the project will offer to help those affected by the project and its associated construction programme in order to mitigate the possible or actual effects of the project and details the circumstances in which compensation may be payable. An extract of the policy is set out below and a complete copy of the policy may be found here.

https://www.tideway.london/search?searchTerm=Non-Statutory%20OffSite%20Mitigation%20and%20Compensation%20Policy

About the Opportunity

Independent Compensation Panel Tideway and Thames Water Utilities Limited (TWUL) are looking to appoint an independent chairperson to chair its Independent Compensation Panel (ICP).

The ICP is drawn from a variety of disciplines including:

• Noise and vibration;
• Compensation;
• Exceptional hardship;
• Building surveying;
• Engineering; and
• Medical matters.

The role of the ICP is to review all compensation and mitigation claims made by parties impacted by the Tideway Project, especially residents housed near project sites, and to make recommendation as to whether compensation and/or mitigation should be awarded to such parties. A more detailed summary of ICP requirements are listed below:

• The ICP reviews all claims submitted to it in line with the relevant project mitigation and compensation policy and makes formal recommendation as to the award of compensation and/or mitigation;
• Special case claims – e.g. medical cases proven to be made worse by the construction activities (i.e. dust particles exacerbating respiratory conditions); • Reviews and ratifiestrigger action plans – mitigation for residents identified in advance as likely to be affected by the works above certain levels (e.g. noise);
• Assesses whether noise, vibration, dust or other construction activities impacts residents and businesses to the extent that they may qualify for appropriate mitigation or compensation;
• Assesses compensation claims where there is a demonstrable loss due to Tideway activities; and
• Considers exceptional hardship and settlement claims relating to properties affected by the Tideway works.

Decisions of the ICP may be appealed to the Independent Complaints Commissioner (ICC).

To date, ICP cases fall broadly in two separate categories:

• a) those relating to health impacts of the project; and
• b) those relating to compensation for loss of business or loss of rent.

ICP meetings are generally held in office hours at Tideway’s Cottons Centre offices located near London Bridge but may also take place at other project worksites. Site visits may be required to understand the impact of the project on a specific claim / applicant. Meeting minutes are sent to the applicants within seven days of the date of the meeting, but Tideway strive to limit the delay and issue minutes as soon as possible after the meeting.

The ICP will be differently constituted for each meeting based on current cases although they may well take place on the same day. Meeting papers are issued in advance of the meeting to allow for review and preparation and requests for further/missing information from the applicant and/or Tideway.

The Role of the ICP Chair

The Chair of the ICP will:

• Set the agenda and determine the frequency of ICP meetings;

• Chair meetings of the ICP; • Minute in writing the decisions made and issue it to the applicants (via Tideway support resources), Thames Water Utilities Limited and Tideway. Two sets of minutes are produced within 7 days of the ICP meeting – more detailed minutes which are shared with the applicant only and a summary – not attributable public set which are published on the Tideway website;

• Prepare a monthly report which summarises the business of the ICP in the preceding month;

• Prepare an annual report for the Tideway Reporting Group (this group with an independent chair, includes the Chair of the ICP, the Chair of the Thames Tideway Tunnel Forum (a group made up of the local councils and other key stakeholders) and the ICC and attend the annual meeting of Tideway Reporting Group;

• Attend the Community Liaison Working Group (CLWG) meetings as agreed with the various CLWGs to reassure residents of the role of the ICP. A maximum of one meeting per year of the key CLWG meetings is required. These meetings are held at or near the major Tideway sites, generally 7.00 -9.00pm; and

• Attend at least annually, the quarterly Thames Tideway Tunnel Forum. This is a meeting of key stakeholders and consenting bodies.

The ICP Chair is supported by an administrator provided by Tideway.

ICP Chair Workload

The ICP is required to meet monthly but generally meets fortnightly or more frequently as required by the number of cases received by the Project.

In 2017/2018 the ICP considered 104 cases and in 2018/19 the ICP considered 132 cases. All cases to date have arisen out of claims under the NSOMCP and the Exceptional Hardship Policy. Many of the claims required health and medical specialist input as there are special cases to consider but it is important to note, that the ICP workload is variable.

For further information on the ICP please refer to our website: https://www.tideway.london/contact-us/help-advice/compensationinformation/independent-compensation-panel/

Key experiences and skills for the role of Chair of Independent Compensation Panel

The Chair of the ICP will have not less than 10 years’ experience in one of the following fields: (i) compensation and valuation; (ii) environmental health; or (iii) Relevant law and suitable experience in the management of major infrastructure projects of compatible scale and complexity to the Tideway Project.

The ideal candidate must:

• Have experience of chairing meetings and leading teams;

• Have the ability to work collaboratively and develop strong relationships with different stakeholders;

• Evidence working with varied communities, social housing etc;

• Have the experience and knowledge of mediation and/or complaint resolution;

• Be able to demonstrate an empathetic approach with complainants and those impacted by the Project;

• Have excellent oral and written communication skills and be able to communicate in “Plain English”; and

• Have experience of process review and/or continuous improvement.

Fees and Payment

The ICP Chair is paid on an hourly basis. An invoice is submitted monthly in arrears to Tideway, supported by a timesheet.

To Apply for the Role

Please click 'Apply' to submit your CV and a covering letter of no more than two pages stating why you believe you would be suitable for this role drawing out relevant skills and experience from your CV.

You must also include an indication of your availability and hourly/daily rate for Tideway and Thames Water Utilities Limited review.

Applicants who represent the diverse communities in which the Tideway project operates are particularly welcome to apply.

If you have any questions or require any additional information on the role, Tideway and the Independent Compensation Panel, please submit your questions to procurement@tideway.london and Tideway will respond.

The closing date for this opportunity is Friday 15th November 2019 3.00pm.

On receipt of all applications, Tideway will contact any preferred applicants on behalf of both of Tideway and Thames Water Utilities Limited with a view to arranging an interview to further review applicant suitability and to further discuss the ICP Chair requirements.

The successful applicant will be required to accept Tideway’s terms and conditions.