New Era Of Public - Private Sector Partnership Predicted At Awards Launch
BUSINESS In Wales stands to cash in on the enormous cuts expected in the public sector over the next four years, a leading local authority politician is predicting.
Ron Davies – former Government Cabinet Minister, architect of Welsh devolution and now an influential independent councillor in the Caerphilly County Borough – says the recent Budget can only provide huge opportunities for private sector business.
Coun Davies, the Caerphilly Council Cabinet Member for Regeneration and the Countryside, said the cuts looming across local authorities in the next four years should herald a new era of co-operation between both public and private sectors.
Speaking at the launch of the 2010 Caerphilly Business Forum Awards, Coun Davies said: “We in the Caerphilly County Borough will be no different from every local authority in Wales in having to make large savings in the coming years.
“In Caerphilly we are expecting to have to take out over £25m from our budgets over the next few years. That is a great deal of money and will mean we will not be able to do the things we used to do – and provide the services we used to provide.
“This will provide opportunities for businesses and organisations within the private sector who are interested in what we do and, in some circumstances, we will be looking for new partners in private business to help fill the void in some services that these public sector cuts will leave behind.
“The private sector will no doubt play an increasingly important role in the provision of public services and if those opportunities arise then we will work with the private sector in an open, honest and co-operative way.”
Caerphilly Business Forum Chairman and Commercial Director of UES, Andrew Diplock, hailed the new opportunities created by the current economic situation as challenges that cannot be ignored by business.
“Given the current state of the economy, the public sector in Wales is under serious pressure and will need to freshen its approach to the provision of certain public services. I am encouraged that Coun Davies has publicly acknowledged this and I would urge local councils to look at the private sector in Wales wherever possible to find innovative, cost-effective and reliable solutions.”
The ninth annual Caerphilly Business Forum Awards were launched at the Bryn Meadows Golf, Hotel and Spa in Maesycwmmer, near Blackwood, with eight awards up for grabs among businesses of all sizes throughout the Caerphilly County Borough.
The award categories and their sponsors are: Young Business of the Year (Venture Wales), Young Business of the Year High Growth (Welsh Assembly Government), Business of the Year for 25 employees or fewer (Caerphilly County Borough Council), Business of the Year for more than 25 employees (SEDA UK), Environment Award (UES), Young Achiever (PHS Group), Health Works Award (Health Challenge Caerphilly), The Premier Award (Broomfield Alexander).
Mr Diplock added: “The last 18 months have been challenging to say the least for any business, but we know that companies across the Caerphilly area have risen to meet those extraordinary challenges and, in demonstrating resourcefulness, innovation and a sheer will and determination, have still managed to succeed in the harshest of trading conditions.”
