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Business Tuesday, March 25, 2014 Argus Some of those who have signed up for the 2014Cycle Challenge meeting for a training ride


More firms are securing public sector deals


By Jo Barnes 01633 777240 jba@gwent-wales.co.uk Twitter @SWABusiness


MOREWelsh companies are winning public sector con- tracts in Wales thanks to action being taken by the Welsh Government to simpli- fy the procurement process, according to Finance Minister Jane Hutt. Every year, theWelsh public sector spends around £4.3bn procuring goods and services. TheWales Procurement Policy Statement, launched in December 2012, aims to ensure that every pound spent delivers efficiencies as well as economic, social and environmental bene- fits – such as local jobs, training opportunities and supply chain opportunities for local firms. The Minister said thatWelsh


contractors nowwin 75 per cent of all major construction awards through sell2wales – compared to around 30 per cent in 2010-11. She said that of the first com- pleted 27 projects incorporating community benefits, worth an overall value of £346m, 84 per cent of this expenditure has been re-invested inWales with 517 disadvantaged people receiv- ing 13,020 weeks of training and an all-Wales collaborative pro- curement has delivered more than £130m of efficiencies over the last five years. The Minister also revealed


that theUKGovernment has recognised theWelsh Government’s procurement pol- icy is ahead of the legislative measureswhich were proposed through the Lord Young Review in October 2013 to improveSME access to procurement. Consequently, the new legisla- tion,which would have been a


backward step forWales, will not nowapply toWales. Jane Hutt said:“We are mak-


ing real progress in driving for- ward public procurement policy as a strategic tool to support growth and jobs inWales. “Iamcommitted to ensuring


that public sector contracts are open and accessible for all sup- pliers. I’m delighted to see that our innovative policies, designed in consultation with businesses and public sector stakeholders, have opened the doors for smaller, local suppli- ers. “I have seen at first hand some excellent examples of where public bodies acrossWales have embraced our progressive com- munity benefits policy,which is integral to the Tackling Poverty Action Plan. This is making a positive difference for the peo- ple and communities of Wales.” She said: “The newEU lTurn to page 4


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Fundraiser gears up to help two local charities


A GWENT charity fundraiser is taking a dose of his own medi- cine to help raise funds for two local causes. Kris Broome, who is usually


found exhorting others to take part in a whole range of chari- ty events to help raise funds for St David’s Hospice Care, is getting into the saddle himself for this latest challenge. Kris, aged 35, of Newport,


has signed up as part of 54321 Cymru’s ‘Cycle Challenge 2014’. The testing European event


will see a team of 50 cyclists from South Wales ride some 180 miles through Holland and Belgium, over three days, with a target of raising £50,000 for two charities. Kris said: “I have been a


keen cyclist since I was very young but this challenge is something else. The ride will be the furthest I have ever rid- den. I was last coaxed into a fundraising ride back in 2011


which was from north to south Wales. I’m looking forward to it but not as much as I am looking forward to crossing the finishing line at the end.” Father of two Kris said: “I


seem to remember from my geography that Belgium and Holland are fairly level. I’m hoping so as I am OK on the flat but hills are a bit of a struggle.” Newport businessman Ian Cummings, a co-ordinator of the ride for 54321 Cymru, said: “We’re delighted to be raising money for St David’s Hospice Care this year and the support we have received thus far for the cycle chal- lenge is evidence of the excel- lent work the hospice achieves. We are gearing up for the ride now and everyone is getting really excited.” 54321 Cymru staged a cele-


bration dinner on St David’s Day this year at the Celtic l Turn to page 5


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