In 2002, we joined forces with Torfaen, Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly County Borough Council and Monmouthshire County Council to form Capita Gwent Consultancy. This unique joint venture provides a range of civil engineering and transportation services previously undertaken by the individual councils.
Quality management
Capita Gwent Consultancy now manages £350m of spending on some 1,400 projects and transportation initiatives including highway projects, PFIs, rail and community regeneration schemes. Working not only for, but alongside authority staff, the joint venture operates a quality management system designed to encourage creativity and innovation and build on past project experience.
Continuous improvement
In just one year, its culture of continuous improvement turned a projected £640,000 loss under the old arrangements into £400,000 profit for reinvestment, while also cutting service costs by 5%. We’re now on course for a 27% increase in operating profits: good news for service users as 70% of profits are reinvested. The partnership continues to grow and aims to double in size by 2012.