Resident engagement belongs at the centre of project planning.

Writing for Project Scotland, Joe Fay sets out why the human factor deserves as much attention as the technical work in building safety remediation, and how early engagement helps reduce project risk.

Publication

Project Scotland

Published

13 October 2026

Written by

Joe Fay

Topics

Resident engagement, Building safety, Cladding remediation

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Project Scotland Feature at a Glance

Façade remediation in Scotland is entering a period of high demand, and most of it will take place around people's homes. Joe explains why clear, early engagement with residents is a practical way to manage project risk, and how Starfish Construction puts that into practice.

Three key takeaways

Residents are partners, not bystanders

Remediation happens around people's homes and daily routines. Treating residents as active partners from the outset builds the cooperation that keeps a programme moving.

Poor engagement is an operational risk

Access delays can disrupt the build sequence, unclear site boundaries can create safety issues and avoidable disputes take up management time.

Digital hubs and people work together

Resident and Stakeholder Hubs share site plans and plain-language updates and keep an auditable record for the Golden Thread, while Resident Liaison Officers provide the human link on site.

Joe Fay, Pre-Construction Compliance and Building Safety Director, Starfish Construction

“Resident and stakeholder engagement is not an optional extra. In occupied buildings, early and honest communication, a named Resident Liaison Officer and a digital hub that records every update reduce access delays, keep people safe and build the trust that keeps a remediation programme on track.”

JOE FAY
MCIOB MIOR MAPM
PRE-CONSTRUCTION COMPLIANCE & BUILDING SAFETY DIRECTOR

Aerial view of the St George's Island residential blocks in Manchester

Featured in the article

St George's Island, Manchester

As highlighted by Joe, the St George's Island façade remediation of five occupied blocks, home to more than 400 households, is a great example of how a digital hub and direct access to a Resident Liaison Officer can deliver a safer, trusted and connected relationship between contractor, project stakeholders and residents.

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Project Scotland · 13 October 2026

Read the full article

The complete feature, including Joe's commentary on the Scottish remediation programme and the role of the Resident Liaison Officer, is published on the Project Scotland website.

Read on Project Scotland