WELSH FINANCE MINISTER HOSTS LAUNCH OF B&ES WALES
27 February 2014 – The formal launch of B&ES Wales took place at The Senedd – the Cardiff home of the National Assembly of Wales – during an event hosted by Jane Hutt AM, Minister for Finance in the Welsh Government.
In his opening address, chairman Mike McDonald told his audience that his Association had long been active in Wales – where its membership consists of some 80 firms, all of which were involved in one or more of the disciplines that comprised building engineering services.
“As such, they are responsible for the design, installation and maintenance of the ‘moving parts’ that allow the majority of our buildings – in both the public and private sectors – to operate effectively and economically,” Mr McDonald explained.
He added that, with every passing year, the contribution B&ES members made to the wider construction industry increased in volume and importance – especially as the need grew for the integration of renewable technologies into both new and refurbished buildings.
It was against this background that new arrangements had been put in place for B&ES Wales – “arrangements that will allow us to speak with one voice for all members in Wales, and so ensure that our messages are heard loud and clear in the ‘corridors of power’”.
Mr McDonald went on to confirm that the B&ES Wales agenda included implementation of the Welsh Government’s Construction Procurement Strategy – in particular, the recommendations it contained on project bank accounts, the early involvement of the supply chain, public sector pre-qualification reform and the introduction of the Supplier Qualification Information Database (SQuID), which had been introduced by the Welsh Government.
Ms Hutt confirmed that tackling late payment in the construction supply chain was a key priority for the Welsh Government – and went on to condemn the “unfair practices” that undermined confidence among specialist contractors.
The Minister pledged to work with B&ES to extend the use of project bank accounts in public sector projects in order to provide sub-contractors with greater security of payment.
And she insisted that there would be “no sympathy” for those who, through persistent late payment, threatened to derail the fragile economic recovery and the successful delivery of key infrastructure projects in Wales.
Concluding the proceedings, Association president Bruce Bisset commented that, as a former chairman of B&ES Scotland, he was well aware of the importance of the close and mutually beneficial relationship which had been built up with the Scottish Government over many years – which had allowed the views and concerns of members to be conveyed to ministers, senior civil servants and MSPs in all the major parties, in the knowledge that they would be listened to at the highest level.
“I have no doubt that our members in Wales will do everything they can to ensure that B&ES Wales develops an equally beneficial relationship with its own devolved administration – and so help to guarantee that the people of Wales benefit from an industry that knows what has to be achieved and is not afraid to take the sometimes difficult decisions required to achieve it,” said the president.
For more information about B&ES visit: http://www.b-es.org.
Ends
Issued on behalf of the Building & Engineering Services Association (B&ES) by Next Step Marketing Ltd
Media enquiries to: Heather Lambert. Tel: 44(0)1256 472020;
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Note to Editors
Since its formation in 1904, B&ES, the Building & Engineering Services Association (formerly the HVCA) has represented the interests of companies engaged in a wide range of building and engineering services disciplines.
B&ES helps its members to build successful businesses by being the leading trade association for integrated building and engineering services and renewable technologies. It is a unifying force that promotes and monitors excellence; provides quality advice, guidance, training and support; generates market-leading thinking; and shapes the commercial environment through active representation.
B&ES members are subject to regular, third-party inspection and assessment of their technical competence and commercial capability, carried out by an independent certification body at least every three years.
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