GWYNEDD BUSINESS NETWORK Issue 10, Spring 2014 National Construction Upturn European Opportunities Boosts Local Company Discussed Over Breakfast Bangor-based developer Watkin A working breakfast at Bangor University provided food Jones is enjoying the benefits of the for thought recently, when Gwynedd businesses took first sustained period of growth in part in a discussion on the future of European funding. construction since the recent With a new range of funding opportunities available to recession. A bright outlook for the the region through 2014 to 2020, University staff were group is predicted by Managing keen to understand more about the needs of local companies. Director Mark Watkin Jones, with the Members of the North Wales Economic Ambition Board, creation of new jobs and the together with representatives from the public and private commencement of numerous sectors, got together on 28th January at the University’s Watkin Jones MD large-scale housing and commercial Management Centre to explore the issues. Mark Watkin Jones projects. Student accommodation forms some 70% of Watkin Jones’ business, and the group is recognised as the UK’s market leader in this area. New halls of residence projects in Bangor and Chester will add to the tally of 25,000 bed spaces created over the last 15 years. Coupled with a general upturn in the housing market and recent growth in the commercial sector, this has enabled the company to add 100 new jobs over the last year, with a similar pattern of growth predicted over 2014. Says Mark Watkin Jones: “It remains a key strength of the business that we are able to offer the full student accommodation development and letting solution, from site funding and securing of planning Working Breakfast at the Management Centre consents, through development and the provision of letting services where required.” Topics under debate included the availability of support for Research and Development, and Innovation, together with The Group has just reported its results for the year to 30 September the higher level skills needed to make North Wales competitive 2013, which show profits before goodwill amortisation and tax of in an international context. The breakfast event also gave a £5.4m, down by 43 per cent on a year earlier. The downturn, says chance for the University to update the business community Mark Watkin Jones, is partly reflective of pressure exerted on the on services currently offered, such as funding for placements group in the preceding three years to repay £88.7 million in loans and projects, Continuing Professional Development to Lloyds Banking Group. This, Mr Watkin Jones notes, squeezed opportunities, specialist business facilities and problem- the capability of the company to make capital investments over solving advice. that period which cut the number of schemes they were able to take on and led to decreased profitability. Prof. David Shepherd, the University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Enterprise said, “I am delighted over 70 Watkin Jones concluded new banking arrangements with HSBC in people attended the event. It provided an invaluable forum November 2012, which are reported to be much more supportive. for the local business community to tell us at the University They comprise a five-year £25m rolling credit facility and a £5m how we can help improve their performance. We are keen working capital facility which, Mr Watkin Jones believes, allows to make it as straightforward as possible for companies to breathing space for the funding requirements of future developments. access support and we are in the process of developing a “I am confident,” he says, “that the Group is in a strong financial dedicated website for this.” position for the future. This will enable the Group to build on its success and will provide excellent opportunities for our staff.” If you would like to get involved in the discussion call: www.watkinjones.com 01248 383 000 or email: [email protected] www.gwyneddbusnes. net 01 Planting the Seeds for a Brighter Future A pioneering research project, led by local landscaper Mark Rendell of Effective Gardens, is set to improve the lives of care home residents with dementia. The self-funded project has gathered a large amount of evidence on how best to use outdoor spaces for people with dementia to obtain maximum benefit. Based in Garndolbenmaen, Mark intends to develop his research into a consultancy, training and support programme for key care professionals, care organisations and policy makers. Also planned is a training package for garden designers which will pass on principles of best practice. The study, undertaken by Mark with Southampton-based colleague Debbie Carroll, took place during the second half of 2013. The process began with extensive data collection from 24 care homes in England and Wales. Seven of these were selected for in-depth analysis through the completion of over 600 diary sheets, 874 observational records and a series of site visits. Evaluation of the data is underway with a view to presentation of a Summary Report incorporating practical recommendations in the spring. Mark and Debbie were chosen to act as judges on the panel for the National Dementia Care Awards 2013. Together they chose the winner in the category: ‘Best Exterior Dementia Mark Rendell, Effective Gardens Design’ for a care home in the UK. Moving away from the concept of gardens in care homes as just “pretty places” is at the centre of Mark’s research, and he was honoured to have the opportunity to incorporate this insight into the judging criteria. Mark sees the study as a valuable tool in his own professional development and is keen to see its recommendations become a reality: “This research project has caused us to rethink our role as designers and to challenge some established guidance and practices. We are beginning to develop a model that may help in the future development of garden design and use in care homes.” Mark and Debbie will be compiling a handbook to support carers and organisations in the field of dementia, and aim to write a non-technical account for the general public. Recognition for the value of their work has come in the form of a small grant for garden trial items from John Lewis Community Liaison. Email: [email protected] / www.thegrowingcompany.co.uk Business Rates Cap Welcome News 2% A cap on business rates at 2% has been announced by the Since then, rates have increased annually in Welsh Government. The new measure will come into effect on line with inflation, leading to a situation in April 1st for the financial year 2014 – 2015. Rates will no longer which some companies ended up paying equal amounts in be tied to the Retail Prices Index measure of inflation, thus rates and rent. The Welsh Government anticipate the cap will avoiding a rise of 3.2%. The measure was adopted following help businesses remain competitive, especially in light of the unanimous approval of the National Assembly for Wales of similar measures having already been introduced in England a non-domestic rates multiplier set at 0.473. Local Authority and Scotland. budgets are not affected since the Government will fund the shortfall in revenue. In further good news for small businesses, First Minister Carwyn Jones announced the extension of the Small Business Rate Business rates have traditionally been approximately half the Relief Scheme in Wales until March 2015. cost of a property’s rent. The rates were last set in 2008 at the peak of the property market, before the recession led to a www.tinyurl.com/ratecapwales downturn in trading. 02 www.gwyneddbusnes. net Action in Digital Gwynedd A series of workshops have been helping Gwynedd-based The ‘Inspire Action’ workshops have been funded by the Welsh companies gain maximum benefit from Superfast Government and Gwynedd Council, through the ‘Digital Broadband and digital technology. Designed specifically for Gwynedd: Superfast Business Programme’. Delivered by small and micro businesses, the ‘Inspire Action’ workshops Annog, the workshops started in January of this year and are offer one-to-one support, and participants are guided just coming to an end. They have proved very popular with through the process of producing their own digital business owners and feedback has been positive. strategies and action plans. To access the online guides: For optimum relevance and to encourage networking www.business.wales.gov.uk/digital-gwynedd-superfast-business opportunities, workshops are themed by industry sector including tourism, farming, retail and artisan. Topics covered To find out about the availability of superfast fibre optic include: how to reach new markets through the use of social broadband in your area: www.superfast-cymru.com media; developing a digital strategy; using ‘cloud based’ technology; data protection and security, and customer relationship management. Communities to Benefit Free online guides are available, via Business Wales, to from Pub Hubs supplement the course content. These cover subjects such as: using voice technology; accessing new markets; employing Helen Roberts supply chain software; increasing workforce flexibility; and Cadwyn Clwyd, creating a website and online shop. Malcolm Harrison Pub Is The Hub With over half of Gwynedd’s forty-six exchanges already Adviser for Wales, upgraded, it is anticipated that the vast majority will be part Wyn Roberts of the superfast network by the end of 2014. Miles of fibre Aqua Marketing optic cables have now been laid, enabling businesses to access broadband at speeds in excess of 30Mbps. Gwynedd Council A new scheme which aims to put the pub at the heart of rural have pledged their commitment to the Digital Gwynedd towns and villages is being rolled out across Gwynedd, project over the next three years, continuing to drive the Anglesey and Conwy.