Chris Cox CV

Trent University
· Diploma in Town & Country Planning

Durham University
· Degree of Masters of Arts with distinction (Environmental Management Practice)

Chris has extensive experience in the public, private and voluntary sectors and higher education.

In the past he has worked extensively with communities on detrimental environmental impacts, including of transport and other sustainability issues.

Worked for Newcastle City Council as a planning officer, housing action officer, environmental audit co-ordinator and Local Agenda 21 co-ordinator.

Until recently Chris was a part-time lecturer at the University of Durham and a visiting lecturer at the University of Newcastle and the University of Northumbria at Newcastle, specialising in environmental and sustainability issues.

Chris formerly managed his own independent consultancy specialising in feasibility studies, community appraisals, environmental issues and parish plans.

In a voluntary capacity Chris has been involved with a number of projects and on this basis once conceived, helped to set up and manage the ‘Newcastle Schools Recycling Project', a project that was recognised by the then Local Government Management Board in the LA21 Case Studies and Good Practice guide.

Chris has organised and managed a number of training and awareness raising courses in both environmental issues, evaluation, community engagement and presentation skills, most recently for Leeds City Council Planning Department in relation to their Statement of Community Involvement, but also including for the North Manchester Partnership, for Sure Start, Cheetham, as well as for the Ouseburn Partnership in Newcastle, a project that was referred to in the DETR's Sustainable Regeneration Good Practice guide.

In recent years, Chris has been working for SRC on a variety of Housing Market Renewal projects in North Manchester, Wirral, Sefton, Nelson and Hull as well as leading on the preparation of a community masterplan for North Birkenhead. He has recently completed project managing the Community Engagement Programme as part of the development of four Community Neighbourhood Action Plans for Gateshead Council.

Chris has been involved in several projects relating to ‘sustainability' including for Rotherham Council and more recently for the Central Scotland Forest Trust

Overall, Chris's work for SRC has focused on community appraisals, the development and delivery of training programmes, sustainability issues, evaluation and                 involvement in a series of major community engagement programmes throughout the north of England. This work has involved, amongst other things, baseline research, organising household surveys, including questionnaire development and analysis, organising and carrying out stakeholder interviews and seminars, doing presentations, running design workshops, organising and staffing drop-in sessions, producing reports and support materials, facilitating group discussions and running outreach              sessions with rarely heard groups.

Project manager for a research project on behalf of the Central Scotland Forest Trust and partners. The project was aimed at developing a methodology for identifying and monitoring the key social benefits and impacts of the Central Scotland Forest. The project involved both desk-top and action research and included the organisation of a regional seminar.

Leeds City Council, Development Department

Developed and managed a programme of advice and support for the Department in relation to their commitments to community involvement in the planning process. This also involved the development and delivery of a staff training programme to enhance their skills and confidence levels in relation to community engagement.

Hattersley Community Facilities Strategy

Contributed to the development of a community facilities strategy on behalf of Hattersley Neighbourhood Partnership. Involved stakeholder interviews, research and a household survey.

Gateshead HMR: Neighbourhood Action Plans

Working as part of a wider consultancy team to develop four action plans for Bensham, Lower Teams, Felling and Deckham as part of the Bridging NewcastleGateshead Housing Market Renewal Initiative. The first stage of work involved consultation with local residents and stakeholders to develop neighbourhood profiles.

The second stage involved more detailed consultation with local residents and stakeholders to develop neighbourhood action plans that set out how the areas will be improved over the next 10-15 years. The process involved stakeholder interviews, workshops, outreach work and drop-in exhibitions.

Gateshead Housing Company Investment Appraisals

Managed a community consultation programme for Gateshead Housing Company as part of their investment appraisal process. Involved household surveys and public meetings in six separate communities.

Widdrington Station Community Engagement

Project manager for a community engagement programme developed and implemented on behalf of Grainger Trust plc in one of the small rural communities lying within     the Northumberland coalfield area.

North Birkenhead Masterplan

Project manager for a community engagement strategy as part of the development of a community Masterplan.

The engagement programme involved stakeholder interviews, workshops, community information days, a study tour and a household survey.

North Manchester Stategic Regeneration Framework and Harpurhey & Lightbowne Local Physical Plan

Responsible for developing and helping to deliver a staff training programme on community engagement and presentation skills for the North Manchester Partnership.

Leading one of the area teams that ran a series of design workshops aimed at generating an agreed physical plan for the area.

Cheetham Manchester Sure Start - Training programme

Chris developed and delivered a training programme for a parent committee related to the development of an evaluation strategy in a multi-cultural community.

South Sefton HMRF

Involved in the consultation programme for South Sefton Council in an area of low demand as part of the Merseyside Housing Market Renewal Fund Pathfinder. This          project was recognised by the Audit Commission as an example of good practice.

Hull Citybuild

Involved in delivering a community engagement programme as part of the preparation of a masterplan for West Hull, on behalf of the Urban Regeneration Company (Hull Citybuild). The work included running workshops and delivering outreach, including to asylum seekers.

Derwentside Community Appraisals

Project manager for two Appraisals covering the two towns of Consett and Stanley.

Appraisals covered baseline data, community consultation, reviewing funding sources and good practice.

The appraisals culminated in the production of an action plan and led to the establishment of two new community partnerships.

Sustainable Coalfield Communities

Research project on the ‘Sustainable Regeneration of Coalfield Communities'.

Stakeholder consultation on a wide range of sustainability issues including employment, environmental issues, health, transport etc.

The Regeneration of North Glasgow

Development of a community plan for Drumchapel area of Glasgow, as part of the Glasgow Alliance's strategy for the regeneration of peripheral estates in the city.

West Central Hartlepool NDC

Involved in extensive consultation with local communities across a wide range of issues, including environmental issues, roads, traffic and transport.

Rotherham MBC
Environmental Strategy

Involved in managing a community consultation programme in three communities as part of an Environmental Strategy for Rotherham MBC.

Derwentside District Council
Research project

Project manager for a research project aimed at, firstly, a mapping exercise relating to the 16 identified disadvantaged groups within the District and secondly, at               identifying the impact of the Neighbourhood Renewal programme on BME and other disadvantaged groups.