The CEW Major Project Delivery Task Group held its first meeting and it was greeted with enthusiasm and ambition for a vision and goal for Wales. 

The Wales Infrastructure Investment Plan for Growth and Jobs was the inspiration for setting up the CEW Major Project Delivery Task Group. As the report states, “Infrastructure investment is one of the highest priorities for the Welsh Government. It can provide an important and much needed stimulus, creating the conditions for increased and sustainable growth.”

The attendees at our first meeting welcomed the plan, but were all agreed that a clearer vision was needed. The launch event for the CEW Task Group held on 17th April, focused upon determining a vision for Wales and asserting the nature of the role the construction industry should play in delivering an economic infrastructure for Wales. The objectives of the Task Group are to provide the Welsh Government with a high level industry group that can act as a ‘sounding board’, a ‘critical friend’ but, more importantly, as a source for solutions that would enable Wales to deliver a ‘world class’ infrastructure from a ‘world class’ blueprint. Out of this came the overriding agreement that a Vision for Wales must now be produced before much more can be done to develop the plan further. Only from a clear vision can correct decisions be made regarding priorities. There was also Task Group agreement that the structure set out in the Strategic Infrastructure Report should be followed.

The response, attendance and commitment at the event made the launch of the CEW Task Group one of the most successful events CEW has hosted. The breadth of ideas that emerged and the energy, passion and belief in the objective was overwhelming.

We are currently awaiting final confirmation from Welsh Government that they will be formalising their relationship with this Task Group and will use it to shape a vision and specify goals for the construction industry and Government to work towards and achieve together for the good of the industry.

Watch for updates and on the CEW website for confirmation from the Government.