21st Century Schools boost to the local economy
As Denbighshire progresses its 21st Century Schools Programme, in partnership with the Welsh Government local businesses are welcoming the boost that this investment is having on them.
With the build works at Rhyl New School complete, work at Bodnant Community School scheduled to be completed in June 2016 and work underway at Ysgol Glan Clwyd, this investment of nearly £44m is impacting on the fortunes of local firms.
Denbighshire County Council, as part of the contracts with the construction firms, are seeking to maximise how the works are purchased to ensure local sub-contractors benefit from this investment in schools.
Willmott Dixon who have been managing the Rhyl New School and now the Ysgol Glan Clwyd project have shown strong commitment to boosting the local economy.
For the Rhyl New School project they worked with local fencing company PW Dalimore, based in Prestatyn to ensure they were able to secure the works for the external fences around the site at a competitive price. Willmott Dixon were impressed with the works undertaken and following a competitive quote being received the company have been employed to undertake similar works in St Asaph.
The projects have also provided a unique opportunity for local businesspeople to return to school. On the Rhyl New School project ex Rhyl High School pupil Simon Adams Director of Evadx who have provided the steelwork for the school was able to play a prominent part in the initial stages of building the new school.
Evadx have also been employed to undertake the fabrication of the steelworks for the Ysgol Glan Clwyd project. Evadx have also provided a unique opportunity to year 12 and 13 pupils to come over to the Evadx site in Kimmel Bay to see the whole production line for the frame for the new building. Similarly the groundworks being undertaken at Ysgol Glan Clwyd by Thomas Plant of Holywell has also seen a return for Lowri Thomas, again an ex-pupil of Ysgol Glan Clwyd.
On the Rhyl New School project, nearly 71% of the expenditure with sub-contractors has been to companies within 30 miles of Rhyl and many of the relationships developed with the local supply chain will be taken forward to the Ysgol Glan Clwyd project.
Brian Hanlon, the Construction Manager of the Ysgol Glan Clwyd project for Willmott Dixon said “Using the local supply chain to boost the local economy and sustaining jobs is part and parcel of Willmott Dixon’s approach, we are committed to actively engaging with the local supply chain and offering local training and apprenticeships to provide a lasting legacy for the local area”.
The works at Bodnant Community School are being undertaken by Reads Construction who are based in Brymbo near Wrexham. They have shown great commitment to local spend to date with 78.5% of the expenditure with sub-contractors has been to companies within 40 miles of Prestatyn, with sub-contractors such as G.J Teeson Ltd, Bagillt Brick and Pro-Scaff Contractors Ltd undertaking works on the site. Reads Construction have also provided 33 weeks of work placement within their own company and have provided 54 weeks of work placement within the sub-contractors supply chain.
Councillor Hugh Evans OBE, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Lead Member for the Economy said “I am delighted with the investment in our schools and the boost it has given to the local economy.
“The authority is committed to providing our children and young people with modern, state of the art facilities which, in turn, will help them to realise their full potential.
“With the new school build proposals in Ruthin it is important to continue to work with local contractors to continue to contribute to the local economy”.
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