Commenting on the first budget of the new coalition Government, Forum Chairman Andrew Diplock was quoted in the Western Mail last week:

"Caerphilly businesses, like everyone, have felt the impact of the recession and have been bracing themselves for the Budget. Our initial reacion is that it is not quite as severe as many might have feared.

"The VAT rise from January is, unfortunately, the price we have to pay for tackling the deficit and bringing Britain's balance sheet back in line.  It is likely to bring spending decisions forward prior to Christmas, too - a welcome boost to local retailers."

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.

Following its AGM, the Forum has a new Constitution and a new team to take it into the future.

Andrew Diplock of UES Ltd has been selected as the new Chair.  He takes over from Martyn Fear of Specialist Precast Products, who stays on in the new position of Past Chairman.  Taking on the Vice Chair's role is Michelle Rose-Innes of Rose-Innes Designs, while Dave Bull of Team Coaching Network Ltd takes on the Treasurer's role.

Supporting them for the next year are the Board members Dave Bevan (Concept Business Services), Dave Bolter (Venture Wales), Mervyn Smith (Business For Breakfast), Nikki Bennett (GO Wales), Tony Sheehan (Joyner PA Cymru), Dave Collins (Fooks and Co), Sarah Bruton (Captiva Spa and Lounge), Denise Lovering (Glenside Commercials), Tudor Williams (DTD Training), Jan Bennett (Caerphilly County Borough Council) and Kevin Clare (Coleg Gwent)

Andrew Diplock said "The next year is avery exciting one for the Forum as we look to developing and improving our services to members and representing their concerns and views.  With the new Constitution and Board we have laid the base from which we can achieve our ambitions."

The Forum was quickly invited to comment on the General Election results, which left no party with an overall majority.  This appeared in the media on Friday after the result:


Business leaders in Wales have called for swift action to clear political uncertainty after the UK elected a parliament with no overall majority.

CBI Wales director David Rosser told Insider: “We would like to see an arrangement reached quickly which is strong enough to start to take some of the difficult decisions necessary to address the public finances and satisfy the markets this will be tackled seriously.”

David Russ, managing director of South Wales Chamber of Commerce, said: “A hung parliament is not good news for Welsh business. Decisions need to be made promptly but with considerable thought. We are only just emerging from recession and we need a strong government to continue to drive the economic recovery forward.”

Andrew Diplock, vice-chairman of Caerphilly Business Forum and commercial director of UES, said: “Whatever the make-up of the new UK government, it cannot afford to ignore the pressing environmental and economic pressures that need to be addressed in Wales quickly and decisively.”

And Russell Jenkins, managing director of accountancy firm KTS Owens Thomas, said: “The worldwide financial markets are experiencing unprecedented and frightening volatility and uncertainty, so the final settled outcome of the UK position will be crucial in limiting the effect of the turmoil on the UK economy. The markets will want to see stability and this election result does not deliver that.”

A Welsh cancer charity will receive a cash injection of almost £3,500 – thanks to a weekend of events organised by the Caerphilly Business Forum and the members of its Working Women network.

Proceeds from the Caerphilly Business Forum’s annual Awards ceremony and the Forum’s sell-out fashion and beauty event, All About Eve, raised a combined £3,500 for Cancer Research Wales.