The Future Generations commission has reported progress made in Wales against the nation’s agreed seven well-being goals.

The Future Generations report provides an update on progress being made in Wales towards the achievement of the seven well-being goals to improve the social, economic, environmental, and cultural well-being of Wales. They were agreed by the National Assembly for Wales in 2015 and are contained in law under the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015.

It is not a report about the performance of any organisation, but the collective changes we are seeing in Wales. The report can also be used to consider Wales’ contribution towards the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals which seek to address urgent global challenges.

It is important to review the report – which was first published in September – and check the impact you can see within your own organisation, or within your community and colleagues. It is also worth remembering that construction has a tremendous impact on almost every area of our society. What we do as an industry – particularly regarding the procurement, planning and design of any scheme construction is set to deliver (no matter what the scale or purpose) – can positively affect how Wales progresses against these seven goals. 

The report shows:

• Life expectancy has been broadly increasing and the amount of time spent in good health has been on the up. However, inequalities remain across different groups. 
• Smoking and drinking are falling, but overall one in ten people follow fewer than two good healthy lifestyle behaviours. Obesity in adults has risen over the long term.
• In terms of a healthy start to life there has been good progress in areas such as breastfeeding and dental health, but obesity in children remains a challenge.
• People are more likely than ever to be in work in Wales, although historical economic challenges remain. Whilst having a job reduces the chances of being poor, in-work poverty is increasing as more people enter work. Two-thirds of workers are considered to be in “decent work”.
• As in the rest of the UK, there has been little improvement in people’s incomes, although the gender pay gap has reduced and educational attainment is increasing.
• Relative income poverty has remained stubborn and is highest amongst children, although a lower percentage of the population report themselves to be in material deprivation. Socio-economic disadvantage remains a key inequality for some outcomes such as educational attainment and life expectancy. 
• Inequalities persist in different indicators and across different population groups. For example, black and ethnic minorities are less likely to say that they feel they belong to the local area, and women feel less safe in their communities than men. 
• People’s sense of community and belonging depends on a range of factors. In general, most people are satisfied with where they live, although one in five people feel lonely. 
• Many adults attend and participate in culture and sports and trends are generally upwards in recent years. However, participation varies according to age and background. 
• One in five people speak Welsh and in recent years, data suggest that there is an increase in those speaking Welsh but not fluently whilst use of the language has remained steady. 
• Water quality and air quality in Wales continues to improve and greenhouse gas emissions have fallen. However, air pollution continues to be a significant health issue. 
• Renewable energy generation has been on the rise. But our ecological footprint suggests that our key natural resources are being depleted faster than they can be replenished.
• Overall, biological diversity is declining, and no ecosystems in Wales can be said to have all the features needed for resilience.

Knowing what’s coming down the line is vital to help plan properly. So, look at this, the Construction Pipeline update: Major Local Authority Projects.

Here at CEW we continue to pursue the enhanced visibility of the future pipeline of construction work. Attached below is the latest programme of major (£2m+) local authority projects, categorised against 10 sectors. This is the third annual iteration of this programme produced in partnership with the WLGA. The pipeline complements the four-year capital programme produced in March this year, by providing additional data for these larger projects on: total scheme value, the timetable for construction, commentary on finance and delivery and a variety of other information.

The importance of the visibility of the forward pipeline of work was emphasised in the CEW ‘No Turning Back’ report in 2010 and in its 2015 review. Much has been achieved since the CEW pilot exercise began in autumn 2011, with regular updates now produced of:

• the Wales Infrastructure Investment Plan (WIIP) pipeline (WG)
• the Welsh local authorities’ 4-year capital programme (CEW)
• a sector-based programme of major (£2m+) local authority projects (CEW)
• a Wales extract of the UK pipeline (non-devolved) (CEW) 

We continue to liaise with industry representatives as to how to improve the visibility of the future pipeline of work. The responses from the industry have overwhelmingly supported the continuation and development of the programme. Furthermore, the CITB inform us that the Construction Skills Network welcomes any improvement in the visibility of the forward programme; it assists in developing its forecasts of employment requirements within the industry for a range of occupational groups.

Further copies of this booklet, together with the data in Excel format and other CEW-produced forward programmes are available on the CEW Website: http://www.cewales.org.uk/about-us/publications/construction-procurement-task-group/

CEW will continue to work closely with Welsh Government and industry representatives

to further enhance the visibility of the pipeline. CEW welcomes any feedback on this

forward programme or any other aspects of the visibility of the construction pipeline.

We know very little about how Welsh organisations use the new technology available to them, so we are asking the construction community to take part in Cardiff University’s National Digital Maturity Survey for Wales, 2017.

Wales, like most other nations, is undergoing a period of rapid transformation, with digital technologies playing a central role in both business and society. This is seeing an increasing number of businesses in Wales accessing broadband and associated digital technologies such as cloud computing, videoconferencing etc. Despite this, we know surprisingly little about how businesses use these technologies, and how it affects the wider Welsh economy. To address this Cardiff University is conducting a five-year programme of research on digital technology use, examining impacts in different sectors and different parts of Wales.

The National Digital Maturity Survey was first launched in 2016 as a way of measuring digital technology use in Wales’ small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and to understand change over time. We would now like to invite SMEs to take part in the second Digital Maturity Survey. By completing the survey SMEs will help us build a picture of the emerging digital economy in Wales, and inform the work of Welsh Government and partners in supporting its development.

The survey can be accessed by clicking here: National Digital Maturity Survey 2017

Contact: superfast@cardiff.ac.uk

Cynnal Cymru/Sustain Wales is delighted to announce the finalists for the Sustain Wales Awards 2017. Cynnal Cymru have been inspired by the diverse range of applications that have been submitted this year. It is great to see so many organisations contributing towards achieving its mission, to make Wales a sustainable nation. Find out more about the finalists and vote on the Cynnal Cymru website.

The awards ceremony is taking place in the Senedd in Cardiff Bay on 30th November. Ticket prices are from for £30 plus VAT. Book your tickets here.

Living Wage Week is the annual celebration of the Living Wage movement in the UK. To announce the new Living Wage rates in Wales, Cynnal Cymru and Citizens Cymru will be hosting a business breakfast in Capital Law on Monday 6th November for current accredited Living Wage employers and possible future accredited Living Wage employers. Please sign up if you would like to join the celebration and if you would like to find out more about the Living Wage campaign. If you would like information on how to become an accredited Living Wage employer, please contact megan@cynnalcymru.com.

On 1st November there is a members networking lunch. Join the team for its monthly members networking lunch in the Cardiff Bay office. Delicious low-carbon and vegetarian lunches are provided by local business and Cynnal Cymru member, Cater Natur. It is hoped that these free informal lunches will create new business links and networking opportunities for members. Book your place.

Other events in the pipeline are –

• 1st November – NWales club event Ysgol Rhyd Y Llan Primary School
• 8th November – SE Club Data Protection Regulations
• 28th Nov 2017 at 18:00 The Power of Networking - a CMI Cymru Event - Wrexham
• 7th December – Wales Digital BP Networking event – 2nd event following launch in September

Business Wales in partnership with Transport for Wales and Construction Futures Wales will host the first joint Developing Sustainable Transport for a Better Wales event on 25th October 2017.

Held at the new USW Exchange in Treforest this exciting free to attend event will bring together suppliers and buyers from across the transport sector and beyond. 

The event will introduce delegates to the work of Transport for Wales and provide an update on the current Operator and Development Partner procurement exercise. 

Delegates will also be invited to learn more about four new Infrastructure Delivery Partner frameworks which are being established to develop the South Wales Metro and undertake a series of infrastructure improvements across Wales. 

With an estimated combined spend of over £1 billion suppliers will be invited to register their interest in:

• general building/civils works (including gauge clearance works, stations, platforms, earthworks for track laying, drainage, foundations)
• electrification / traction power works (including power supplies, overhead line equipment, and the like
• signalling and comms works (including control systems)
• permanent Way works (including new track works, line speed improvements, switches and crosses)

Delegates will also be invited to attend the networking lunch and business support knowledge fair.

Spaces for the event are limited. 

When: 25th October 2017

Time: 08:15am -  2:30pm

Where: University of South Wales - Exchange, Pontypridd, CF37 1DL

To book a place please click here.

On 27th November, RICS in Wales are holding an event with the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure Ken Skates AM on infrastructure priorities for Wales.

The investment opportunities for Wales are immense, with projects such as Horizon Nuclear Power in North Wales, RICS welcome the Welsh Government’s commitment to focus investment on infrastructure and further welcomes the move to have a Department with a Cabinet Secretary responsible for Infrastructure specifically. 

RICS have organised this event to understand the Welsh Government’s priorities for the future. The Cabinet Secretary will cover topics on the importance of infrastructure to the Welsh economy, making the most of project opportunities and outlining the role of infrastructure in supporting regional economic growth.

RICS ‘Building 4 the Future’ manifesto in Wales calls on the Welsh Government to deliver infrastructure for the long term. highlighted a number projects they would like to see given priority, namely:

• The electrification of the main line from London to Swansea and the North Wales train network
• Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon
• The M4 Relief Road
• Upgrading the A55

RICS welcome the commitment from the Cabinet Secretary to focus on these projects, particularly that lie within his devolved remit and welcome his commitment to ensure Wales remains economically resilient and competitive for the future.

To register click: here