Construction jobs boost for South-West Scotland

Over £600m of public sector infrastructure is to be delivered in the South-West of Scotland in next ten years following the formation of a joint venture company - ‘hub South-West Scotland Ltd’ - with the Programme Board of the South-West hub Territory, comprising 14 public bodies* and the Alliance Community Partnerships* (ACP).

Creation of the South-West hubCo will be welcomed by construction firms across the region as a boost to securing future work.

The deal, struck by six local authorities, three health boards, emergency services and other public bodies in the Ayrshire, Lanarkshire and Dumfries & Galloway areas in conjunction with its partner ACP will help secure long-term local employment opportunities.

Bill Martin, programme director of the South-West hubCo programme board, explained:  “The structure of this relationship means that it will bring real opportunities to local businesses as over 80% of the construction value will be competitively tendered to SMEs on the supply chain.  We are delighted with the outcome of the agreement which will deliver innovation and better value-for-money on all our construction projects.”

Nick Parker, chief operating officer of Equitix and a Director for Alliance Community Partnerships, stated: “We are very much looking forward to building a successful and long-lasting partnership with all organisations involved in the South-West hubCo, delivering much-needed projects and investment in the local communities.”

“Importantly, the formation of the South-West hubCo will facilitate the creation of new employment and training opportunities for local companies in challenging economic times.”

John Hope, accommodation director at the Scottish Futures Trust (SFT), explained: “Establishing the South-West hubCo marks a significant milestone in the Scotland-wide hub initiative, led by SFT, as it concludes the formation of all five Scottish hubCos. 

“Over the next ten years, over £1.5bn of investment will be made in community-based infrastructure across Scotland.  And in the forthcoming financial year, over £300m of projects, including primary and secondary schools, health and medical centres and community projects will move into the construction or development stage which will be welcome news for the construction industry.”

Notes to editors:

hub
The Scotland-wide hub initiative is led by the Scottish Futures Trust and reflects a national approach to deliver new community infrastructure valued at more than £1.5bn over the next 10 years.

It brings community planning partners including health boards, local authorities, blue-light services and other public bodies together with a private sector development partner to form a hubCo, to increase joint working and deliver best value.

*South-West hub Territory public bodies

Ayrshire and Arran Health Board  
Dumfries and Galloway Health Board
Lanarkshire Health Board    
The State Hospitals Board for Scotland
Scottish Ambulance Service Board   
North Ayrshire Council
East Ayrshire Council     
North Lanarkshire Council
South Ayrshire Council    
Dumfries & Galloway Council
South Lanarkshire Council    
Strathclyde Fire and Rescue  
Scottish Court Service    
Irvine Bay Regeneration Company

*Alliance Community Partnerships

Equitix Holdings Ltd
Kier Project Investments Ltd
Galliford Try Investments Ltd
John Graham Holdings Ltd