Wales confirmed its status as a construction centre of excellence when it won three out of the ten awards at the National Constructing Excellence Awards on 19 November.

Three of the winners from the Constructing Excellence in Wales Awards held in September have gone on to be named as national winners proving that Welsh construction is at the forefront of UK best practice.

Laing O’Rourke Wales & West secured the Health & Safety Award for its work at the North Wales Adolescent Unit where it had zero reported accidents and demonstrated how safety can be improved through collaborative working.  Lawson Construction won the SME Award following a second successive year of investment, development and commitment to rethinking construction principles.  Whilst the Integration & Collaboration Award was presented to Monmouthshire County Council and Willmott Dixon Construction Ltd in recognition of its work over the past ten years delivering the county councils schools programme.

The CE National Awards, held at Lords Cricket Ground on 19 November in front of an audience of around 400 people, are the best of the best from the twelve regions that comprise Constructing Excellence.

Milica Kitson, CEW chief executive said: “This was a great night for Wales and confirmed that we are a centre of excellence for construction and an example to anyone adopting collaborative working practices.  Congratulations to our Welsh winners!”

Since Sir John Egan’s Task Force published its report Rethinking Construction in 1998, there has been some progress, but nowhere near enough. Few of the Egan targets has been met in full, while most have fallen considerably short. Where improvement has been achieved, too often the commitment to Egan’s principles has been skin-deep. In some sectors, such as housing, construction simply does not matter, because there is such limited understanding of how value can be created through the construction process.

For the last decade, the industry has been sheltered by a healthy economy. This has enabled construction to prosper without having to strive for innovation. The current economic crisis is a perfect opportunity for us to think again. We can not afford to waste it.

Looking ahead, there are major challenges on the horizon. Most clients have already cut their long-term investment plans, and capital budgets will be at risk for many years to come as we anticipate a long period of recovery from the current recession. For Government, there is huge pressure to reduce public spending. But perhaps the greatest challenge is how we can deliver a built environment that supports the creation of a low carbon economy for the UK. So while there is no crisis yet in our industry, we are approaching a time when UK plc can no longer afford to build and maintain, the infrastructure capable of supporting our future needs as a society.

So what will make the industry change now when it has failed to do so before? We believe that an essential step is for suppliers, clients and Government to adopt a new vision for the industry based on the concept of the built environment. This means understanding how value is created over the whole life cycle of an asset, rather than simply looking at the building cost, which is only a part of the total equation. It is about how the relatively small up-front costs of design and construction can have such huge consequences for future users, whether expressed as business or social outcomes, as well as for the environment.

The impact of this vision is potentially immense for our industry. We need to abandon our existing business models that reward short-term thinking. Instead, we should incentivise suppliers to deliver quality and sustainability by taking a stake in the long-term performance of a built asset.

How will this be achieved? We believe that the era of client-led change is over, at least for the moment, and that it is now time for the supply side to demonstrate how it can create additional economic social and environmental value through innovation, collaboration and integrated working – in short, the principles outlined in Rethinking Construction. Clients should focus instead on professionalising their procurement
practices to reward suppliers who deliver value-based solutions.

Government, as a client, needs to understand the enlightened thinking that better and more intelligent designs improve patients’ recovery in hospitals and learning outputs in schools. So, rather than reduce the number of schools and hospitals being built, it must sponsor smarter and more productive solutions and reduce the amount of money wasted on the procurement process. For Government as a policy maker, the challenge is to create an environment that incentivises innovation and speeds up the modernisation process.

There are other stakeholders with a key role to play. We need an education and training system that promotes holistic learning across disciplines, so that industry professionals are equipped with an understanding of how better integration delivers value. We also need industry bodies and professional associations to cooperate better to represent our industry effectively to Government and the public.

Above all, we need leaders who can engage the public and key stakeholders about the ‘new value’ the built environment brings, who can engage employees to deliver the necessary changes and who can attract more talented people from a wider pool to work in our industry. If our present leaders do not feel up to the task, they should at least support the development of the next generation, who appear to understand very clearly what is needed.

Cardiff Central Library, Newport High School and Mark Adams were the stars of the show at the 2009 CEW Awards last night, winning project of the year, waste minimisation award and achiever of the year.

Over 400 guests celebrated the achievements of the Welsh built environment at Cardiff City Stadium where Roy Noble hosted the evening and ten awards were handed out to the great and the good of Welsh construction. 

From Lawson Construction at the small and medium sized end of the industry to Willmott Dixon and Laing O’Rourke, every aspect of the industry was represented.  The annual awards are an opportunity for every part of the Welsh built environment to demonstrate their achievements and promote the ideals of collaborative working and best practice.

Cardiff’s new library was described as a scheme to be proud of and more than just a library.  It is a great example of what can be achieved via every aspect of a construction team working together.  Mark Adams, head of construction at Rhondda Cynon Taf, was the winner of the achiever award because of the example he has shown leading on projects such as the Porth Relief Road.  He has inspired the people around him and epitomises the positive attitude in the Welsh built environment and collaborative working particularly.

A new award and a category that is vital to the future of the country and the industry is waste minimisation.  The winner, Newport High School, is a fantastic example of how collaboration led to the team achieving its goals.  Of the 24,607 cubic metres of waste created, over 24,000 cubic metres has been reused and only 67.8 cubic metres went to landfill.  That’s a diversion of 24,500 cubic metres from landfill.

Milica Kitson, chief executive of Constructing Excellence in Wales said:

“Last night it was our industry as a whole that was the winner, but these ten award winners are the best of the best and proof that the collaborative approach to the procurement and management of projects delivers outstanding performance and results every time.  Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to our sponsors and to everyone that attended such a great evening.”

Wales is well on the way to reaching the Welsh Assembly Government waste targets, thanks to the Green Compass scheme organised by Constructing Excellence in Wales (CEW) and launched by Jane Davidson AM, Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing yesterday (13 July, 2009).

Waste handlers involved with the Green Compass scheme are already achieving recovery rates of around 83%, only 2% shy of the target that by 2010, 85 per cent or more of the waste generated by the construction and demolition sectors in Wales will be re-used or recycled.  Green Compass includes one organisation that has recovery rates of 100% for inert material.

Green Compass is a scheme that will provide the framework within which waste handling organisations can seek compliance with the new PAS 402 (Publicly Available Specification).  This specification, developed by CEW in cooperation with BSI, requires waste management organisations to demonstrate sound environmental practices which will then assist builders in selecting their contractors. It is expected that the scheme will allow more construction and demolition waste to be recycled and diverted from landfill.

Builders and construction companies wishing to specify their waste contractor on the basis of demonstrable, sound waste management will be able to use compliance with PAS 402, verified by Green Compass inspection, to help make the selection.  Since the ten ‘Pathfinder’ waste contractors signed up to the Green Compass pilot scheme, when it was launched last September, an average between 43% and 83% of waste has been recovered and diverted away from landfill and recycled and re-used.

Jane Davidson AM, Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing, said: “This launch is a tremendous step forward in the right direction and is one of a number of significant initiatives being developed by Constructing Excellence in Wales that will help us, the public sector and industry in challenging head on the problems we face with waste.  PAS 402 specification, together with Green Compass scheme, has the potential to drive forward improvements in the waste management industry to bring about the step change we need to achieve our goal of zero waste.”

The ‘Pathfinders’ involved in the pilot scheme deal with half a million tonnes of waste between them and it is estimated that around 200,000 tonnes of waste has been diverted from landfill since the Green Compass Pilot Project began in September.  Feedback from the Pathfinders and contractors has been positive and Constructing Excellence in Wales is now looking for more waste handlers to join the scheme.

“This is the proof required that sound processes and standards have a major impact on waste recovery rates.  What’s more, Wales is leading the UK in a scheme that could divert 85% of waste from landfill once rolled out across the country,” said Milica Kitson, chief executive of Constructing Excellence in Wales.

Constructing Excellence in Wales (CEW) has worked with BSI to develop PAS 402 as part of its Green Compass waste programme, which gives assurance to anyone disposing of construction waste that it will be collected, checked, recycled or disposed of in an environmentally sound fashion. PAS 402 provides the framework for waste management organisations to demonstrate performance in key areas. Green Compass, managed by CEW on behalf of the Welsh Assembly, is the first scheme of its kind in the UK and is expected to make a significant contribution to minimising the levels of waste going to landfill.

Sir David John, Chairman of BSI, said: “This is a major step forward for the waste handling sector and the construction industry as a whole.  Construction generates more waste than any other sector and a standard for its disposal and management was urgently required.  We can already see the benefits that PAS 402 will bring based on the evidence from the Green Compass Pilot Project.  Working alongside CEW, we have been able to access a lot of expertise in the field of waste handling to develop a robust, practical framework that will not only benefit the construction industry, but help divert significant levels of waste from landfill, achieving national environmental targets.”

Welsh engineers have promised to use their influence in the planning, design and structure of buildings and facilities to address the sustainability issues facing Wales as it aims to create an environmentally friendly infrastructure for Wales.  They have committed to take a more radical in approach and focus on the dangers of over consumption and poor design, recognising that mankind only has one planet and finite resources.

It was agreed that taking an integrated approach to design and construction from day one is imperative. Engineers can maximise on the opportunities that exist if people are given the freedom to be creative and to challenge the existing norms. In this way resources can be managed better and more sustainable solutions taken advantage of.

“Engineers have a pivotal role in addressing sustainability in delivering infrastructure on which the whole of society is built.  By encouraging a fresh creative approach we can do this.  We will need to work with schools and colleges to encourage this approach through training and education,” said Sally Sudworth, CIWEM Welsh branch past chair and Halcrow director.  “We will be responding to the call to engage more with the public and to provide the leadership that industry is calling for and CIWEM looks forward to linking with Constructing Excellence in Wales in doing this.”

The goal of the event was to establish a baseline for the industry and identify some key actions that can be taken forward to make an effective difference.

• Take an integrated approach to design and construction – including the procurement process
• Bolt on fixes at the end of the design process is not the answer.
• Use the CEEQUAL civil engineering award system alongside BREEAM to drive behavioural changes
• Lobby for better legislation – Government must drive change
• Support the Carbon Reduction Commitment to make it effective in driving down CO2 emissions.
• Adopt low carbon measures in respective organisations and projects now

Jane Davidson AM, Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing gave a key note talk, referring to One Wales: One Planet, which highlighted the importance of creating an infrastructure for the Welsh economy that is truly sustainable.

Ms Davidson said, “The built environment is the largest contributor to greenhouse gases in Wales.  The way in which we construct and use our homes and other buildings accounts for 40% of our total carbon emissions.  It is vital that all our new buildings are energy efficient and as green as possible.  We all believe early action is needed, and this event confirms Wales’s commitment to do all we can to tackle climate change and reduce our carbon footprint.  Diverse groups from all over Wales are ready to use their voice and powers to help Wales reduce its carbon footprint.”

Food Waste via Anaerobic Digestion (AD)
To create a new or expand an existing AD facility to process a minimum of 60% of inputs from Commercial & Industrial food waste (i.e. food waste arisings from food processors, drinks manufacturers, catering companies, hotels).

Construction Waste Recycling Infrastructure
To create new or expand and improve existing processing/recycling facilities and/or for collection and mobile processing for waste arisings from Construction, Demolition & Excavation sources.  Projects which will install additional processing or separation equipment are also applicable. We are particularly keen to encourage applications which focus on plasterboard recovery.

Commercial & Industrial Plastics
To increase the reprocessing capacity in Wales of waste plastics, principally from Commercial & Industrial (C&I) sources.  Preference will be given to those projects which take in a range of plastics and which offer higher added value outputs either through effective sorting of materials and/or by ongoing processing through manufacture of final or intermediate products. To be eligible to apply your project must meet the following criteria:

• be located in Wales;
• your project must meet the requirements as set out in the individual scope documents;
• a signed contract with WRAP must be in place by 31 January 2010 and the project must be fully operational by 31 January 2011;
• a minimum of 60% of project inputs should come from Commercial & Industrial sources;
• your project would be unable to progress without the grant intervention;
• your project must be commercially sustainable in the medium and long term and result in an auditable, additional (to any current activity) annual output for 5 years from date of operation.

All applications will be assessed against specific evaluation criteria by an independent panel selected by the Welsh Assembly Government.

Closing date for applications:  12.30 pm Thursday 30 July 2009.

Want to know more or want to apply?
Please read the individual Scope Documents to ensure that your project will comply   and our Guidance Document WCG005 for full details of the evaluation criteria and how to apply.

These can be downloaded from the WRAP website under the Funding section.

WRAP aims to host 2 seminars in May:
North Wales on 27 May
Swansea on 28 May

You will have the opportunity to discuss on a confidential basis whether or not your project fits the scope of the programme and what you will need to do to apply. To book a place please contact Max Harvey on 02920 448095 or email max.harvey@wrap.org.uk

For further details of the MAP Wales Capital Grant Programme please call WRAP’s Grants & Compliance Officer Sarah Burns on 01295 819652 or email sarah.burns@wrap.org.uk

• reduce their carbon emissions by more than 31 per cent compared to current building regulations through energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy
• reduce the consumption of water
• use more sustainable materials

Launching the policy Jane Davidson said:  “This is another demonstration of the Welsh Assembly Government’s commitment to protecting our environment for future generations.  I am determined to use the planning system to move towards zero carbon buildings.  Making our buildings greener will play an important part in reducing our carbon footprint as the built environment is the largest contributor to greenhouse gasses in Wales.  The way in which we construct our homes and buildings accounts for 40 per cent of our total carbon emissions.  We need to do everything we can to make new buildings, from our homes through to our offices, as environmentally friendly as possible.  The new policy will play a key role in achieving this.” Housing proposals will be expected to meet the Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3 and non domestic buildings will be expected to meet the BREEM ‘Very Good’ standard as a minimum. The new planning policy is just the latest Welsh Assembly Government action on using the planning system for the green agenda. It  follows the announcement last November of the Coalition of the Willing, the UK’s first green building charter, with more than 50 representatives of the building sector committing themselves to support progress towards a built environment that contributes low or zero net carbon emissions as practically possible. Peter Davies, Commissioner for Wales, Sustainable Development Commission (SDC) said: “Making our buildings more energy efficient is vital in tackling climate change, so we welcome this step towards the Welsh Assembly Government’s aspiration of zero carbon new buildings from 2011.  With Wales leading the rest of the UK in this field, the Welsh construction sector now has a huge opportunity to gain competitive advantage in this growing market, and a substantial role to play in cutting greenhouse gas emissions.”

Ends

For further press information please contact Andrew Brown on 07795 547069 or email andrew@frankandbrown.com

For more information about the Ministerial Interim Planning Policy Statement (01/2009) ‘Planning for Sustainable Buildings’ at the BREEAM EcoHomes ‘Excellent’ Glasdir Development in Ruthin yesterday and the consultation on the draft Technical Advice Note 22 ‘Planning for Sustainable Buildings’. The consultation ends on 31st July 2009 please use the following links:

Ministerial Interim Planning Policy Statement (01/2009) Planning for Sustainable Buildings
http://wales.gov.uk/topics/planning/policy/mipps/?lang=en

Draft Technical Advice Note 22 ‘Planning for Sustainable Buildings’ (Consultation)
http://wales.gov.uk/consultations/planning/?lang=en

It is an exciting opportunity for young people to work together and develop their innovative new ideas into tangible solutions to a broad variety of climate change and sustainable development issues.  CEW is supporting the project as part of its sustainability work and we believe this is an excellent chance for the members of 40 Below to do something constructive for the UK environment.

The British Council needs volunteers with expertise in key areas; therefore it might be an exercise to learn from as well very rewarding.  The idea is that volunteers provide some of their time and energy and the British Council supports them with some facilitation services and some travel and accommodation expenses to help them achieve such goals.

More details are available at http://challengeeurope.britishcouncil.org/, but the closing date for applications is 11 May 2009 and selection by the 15 May, so move fast if you’re interested.  The first UK-GB team meeting of Advocates, at its 2009/10 Launch, is anticipated for 12-13 June 2009.

Work done to improve the industry since the Latham and Egan reports has challenged its culture and processes, but real benefits have been seen. We cannot abandon that good work now.

In Wales, collaborative working is thriving and we are seeing great projects being planned, designed and built. Framework agreements enshrine a collaborative approach, give clients certainty that work will be completed and provide contractors and their suppliers with long-term revenue plans, which is what everyone wants.

Clients and supply chains must work more closely and embrace collaborative working. If we don’t,things will get worse for everyone.

http://www.building.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=483&storycode=3138433&c=2

Milica Kitson, chief executive of Constructing Excellence in Wales

Constructing Excellence in Wales has announced the launch of -40C (Forty Below Club), a new business club for new and aspiring professionals in the construction industry.

The new CEW Club aims to promote and develop young people in the Welsh built environment, supporting emerging professionals, fostering their ideas and promoting their ability to benefit the wider industry.

The -40C group is primarily targeted at young professionals, but it also embraces all new comers to the industry and recent graduates who have an interest in the Welsh built environment and developing their career.

Alexander Jones, a graduate engineer at Halcrow and a leading voice at -40C, said: “Age should not be a barrier to success in the Welsh built environment.  The -40C Club provides young professionals, up and down the supply chain, a dedicated forum in which they can meet with and learn from likeminded individuals and so broaden their horizons.”

“This forum is something that’s been missing in Wales,” stated Milica Kitson, chief executive for Constructing Excellence in Wales.  “Too often talented youngsters or new professionals are not given the chance to prove themselves.  Now is the time to plan for the future, invest in young people and new ideas so that our industry can cope with the downturn and prepare for economic recovery.  We want -40C to engage with professionals, drive change, challenge the status quo and improve industry performance, producing a better built environment in Wales.”

-40C will run frequent networking evenings and events addressing industry issues, challenging current practices, and teaching people about the softer skills to business such as team building and media handling.

Those interested in becoming a member of the CEW -40C Club and finding out about the CEW Clubs network can visit www.cewales.org.uk/clubs or email info@constructingexcellencewales.org.uk or calling 02920 493322 and ask about -40C.

For further press information please contact Andrew Brown on 07795 547069 or email andrew@frankandbrown.com