Construction Summit – Shaping the future of Construction in Wales.
Thank you to all those who attended last week’s Construction Summit. We were delighted by the turnout of over 100 people, which signified the importance of discussing matters that are not just important for sector professionals, but also construction clients and the wider general public.
It was an excellent opportunity to demonstrate CEWales value and its’ unique position as the trusted conduit between sector and government. This event provided an effective platform for government representatives to present and hear directly from industry during the open discussions facilitated by Antonia John, CEWales Operational Board Member & Proposals Manager, Wates Residential. The workshop style approach facilitated by Gwilym Morris & Paul Pavia, The Pollen Shop, in the latter half of the afternoon set the scene for energetic conversations on weaving a way forward through the upcoming election uncertainties.
Cat Griffith Williams, (CEO CEWales) launched into a powerful piece on the value of the built environment in driving the economy and the established role of CEWales in turning sector challenges into solutions together with the Welsh Government. Listening, gathering insight and delivering strategic ambitions like the Mission Statement, Digital Action Plan, Unnos – new procurement delivery system, project bank accounts, over 40 intelligence insight reports and more.
Nick Sullivan, (Programme Manager, Foundational Economy and Construction Policy Lead WG) opened with acknowledgement of his recent construction policy remit as lead within Welsh Government and shared ideas around the Mission Statement governance; pipelines, procurement, people and skills, payment and planning (5P’s). His call to action for the sector was to help create an effective steering group that could implement strategic ambition into practical action.
James Hooker, (Head of Planning Policy WG) bridged the gap between planning policy intent and circular economy ambition, noting Planning Policy Wales and Future Wales 2040 (which sets out criteria to guide strategic development plans and local development plans) as key drivers for low carbon and circular factors. He outlined his view on making better use of existing buildings, vacant properties with a focus on re-use.
Sue Hurrell, (Sue Hurrell, Head of Fair Work Procurement, WG) highlighted the importance of the recent model clauses in the SPPP Act not just on construction clients but its connected impact for the sector, outlining that previously it was about process, now its about designing and managing contracts too. Category and improvements sit across: payments, employment, compliance, training, sub contracting, environment. For use with NEC/JCT as per this link. Capital Law has published more this, if further insight is required.
Rob Griffiths and Alfred Millan, (Building Services Associate Director & Building & Places Embodied Carbon Lead, AtkinsRealis), provided insight from an industry consultancy perspective on Net Zero Carbon identifying opportunities with examples from Welsh Construction such as ‘New Willows NZC school’. They made the point that Net Zero in the wider context of UK remains fragmented where in Wales it appears to be delivered better through the Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme, NHS Wales Net Zero standards and other examples. Leading into conversations around how industry can help shift the dial on this, via the industry led Part Z proposed amendment, UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard which informed the ongoing research by UK Gov ‘ The practical, technical and economic impacts of measuring and reducing embodied carbon in new buildings: Executive summary – GOV.UK’.
The event closed with a bang* the Pollen Shop brought much needed reality to the changing landscape in Wales and shed light on how the built environment can strengthen its’ position and role for the future of Wales. For a sector that contributes 10% of Wales total economic activity, with a workforce of 83,565 employees (around one in 14 of all jobs in Wales) representing 15% of all business operating in the economy, more needs to be done.
For what and how, please see our annual report and manifesto (pg 26/27) which outlines the roadmap of key priorities and provides sector with a direction of travel from which to build on together with the next government.