Latest news with #Cwmpas
South Wales Argus
08-07-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Pontypool explores sustainable options for VE Day benches
Pontypool Community Council is investigating the possibility of using recycled or UK steel for the VE80 Bench Project, which commemorates VE Day. These benches are set to be installed on November 11, the council confirmed in its June meeting. This initiative is part of a broader commitment to sustainability and biodiversity. The council has also approved a live trees maintenance plan, which will include collapsible trollies for watering. The council is also promoting the use of digital tools over paper, including QR code-enabled surveys. The council meeting, which took place across multiple locations on June 25, was marked by a strong commitment to community engagement and support. A presentation was given by Cwmpas, a not-for-profit organisation that supports co-operative and social enterprise housing. The organisation, backed by the Welsh Government and charitable foundations, offers comprehensive guidance for community-led housing initiatives in Pontypool. Councillors also approved funding of £500 each for two local events: the 130th Anniversary of Pontypool Indoor Market and the Pontypool Food Festival. The funds will support marketing and promotion efforts for these events. The council members noted preparations for the upcoming Youth Festival and Twinning Conference, set to take place from August 20 to 24. These events aim to strengthen international links and increase youth participation. The meeting also saw a series of formal approvals, including the adoption of the Annual Report 2024/25 and the approval of the Final Accounts and Governance Statement for the year ending March 31, 2025. The council also confirmed minutes from recent council and committee meetings and ratified updated constitutional changes and a suite of reviewed and new council policies. These policies include Internet Banking, Data Protection, and a Multi-location Meeting Policy. In terms of technology and civic engagement, councillors approved the purchase of three new laptops due to ongoing equipment issues. Plans were also reviewed for rolling out new official email addresses to members. The council discussed improving community engagement, with a training session hosted by One Voice Wales scheduled for October 15. Councillors were also invited to participate in Party in the Park on July 12, where a community survey will be launched to gather feedback on key local issues such as youth provision and public amenities. The council also reviewed plans for a future "Away Afternoon" to reflect on strengths and strategic improvements within both council operations and community services. This will be discussed further at the next meeting. The council moved into a confidential session at the end of the meeting to consider sensitive matters.
Business News Wales
30-06-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Orbits IT Completes Employee Ownership Trust Deal
IT services provider Orbits IT has completed its transition to employee ownership in a deal designed to secure the long-term stability, growth and independence of the business. Founded in 2010, Orbits IT offers managed IT support and services for small and medium-sized businesses across the UK, with offices in Barry in South Wales, in the West Midlands and the South West. The company's team delivers a full spectrum of IT solutions, including business IT support, cyber security, cloud services, and managed infrastructure. The decision to move to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) structure was taken to safeguard the business's future while recognising and rewarding the contribution of its staff. The firm said the transaction ensured continuity for both clients and staff, with the business's leadership team remaining in place to oversee operations and continue delivering the high level of service and technical expertise for which Orbits IT is known. Jim Lewington, Director of Orbits IT, said: 'When we looked at the future of Orbits IT, only the Employee Owned model made sense to us. It sures up our future and maintains the legacy. We have spent 16 years building this company, and we are all fiercely proud of what we have become. It's only right that those who have helped achieve our success should benefit from it. I am excited to continue the journey and see what else we can achieve together.' The rise in Employee Ownership Trusts reflects a growing trend across the UK, offering an increasingly popular succession option for businesses seeking to preserve company culture, protect jobs, and secure long-term growth. The structure empowers employees to take an active role in shaping the business's future. The transaction was managed and delivered with the support of GS Verde Group and Cwmpas, who advised across all elements of the process, including deal structure, legal documentation, corporate finance, tax advisory and communications. Jim added: 'The team at Orbits would like to thank both GS Verde and Cwmpas for their support throughout the transaction, in what is a very exciting time for the business and our employees. We are Orbits IT and the future is bright.' Cwmpas is the UK's largest development agency for co-operatives, social enterprises, and employee-owned businesses. The Employee Ownership Wales service from Cwmpas is part of Social Business Wales and of the Business Wales family, funded by Welsh Government. Branwen Ellis, specialist EO Consultant for Cwmpas, said: 'It has been a pleasure supporting Orbits IT with their succession plan, helping the owners get a greater understanding of their options, discussing governance best practice, delivering trustee director training and supporting the employees with their understanding of what it means to them. I wish them all the very best for the future and welcome them to our growing community of employee-owned businesses in Wales.' GS Verde Group, which operates as a fully integrated multi-discipline advisory firm, specialises in guiding businesses through a wide range of corporate transactions including mergers, acquisitions, management buyouts, investment rounds, and employee ownership transitions. David Dulieu, Chief Commercial Office of GS Verde Group, said: 'Working with Jim and his team has been an absolute pleasure. From our initial meeting, their desire to look at Employee Ownership as the vehicle they felt was best to reward their staff was clear. The teams across GS Verde were pleased to combine our multiple disciplines of law, finance and tax, and support them in making the deal happen. Congratulations to all involved, and very best wishes for the future.'
Business News Wales
05-06-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Cwmpas and Bridgend Council Partnership Project Exceeds Social Enterprise Support Targets
Bridgend County Borough Council is celebrating the success of an innovative partnership with social enterprise development agency Cwmpas. The scheme has seen eight new businesses created and more than 130 existing businesses provided with financial support and development opportunities. Martin Downes, the Cwmpas Lead Consultant who has been overseeing the Social Enterprise Support Programme in Bridgend, said: 'Across Bridgend County Borough, we've outperformed on almost every target, and met the others. We've supported the creation of eight new businesses this year, where the target was two, and we've helped to safeguard 12 jobs, comfortably beating our initial target of two. 'We've also run business development sessions attended by 200 individuals and 132 businesses, and we ran the first ever social enterprise marketplace in Bridgend County Borough Council (BCBC), sporting 90 individual attendees and 24 enterprises.' Baobab Bach are one of many organisations to benefit. In the space of just five years, they now have six members of staff and over 100 volunteers who supply non-means tested quality food to approximately 270 families a week. They do this through their 14 community pantries based in three counties across south Wales, including Bridgend County Borough. Still-fresh food which would otherwise go to landfill is sourced from FareShare Cymru. Membership costs £1. Baobab Bach provides more than just access to food: the community pantries also offer sanctuary, a space to meet and socialise, and vital community support. As well as their community pantries, they run three food growing projects where young people learn to grow their own food. Alison Westwood, Director of Baobab Bach, said: 'We're hugely grateful for the support we have received to build raised beds as part of the Social Enterprise Support Programme – it's made a massive difference. 'The support will make our sites much more manageable and easier to cultivate. In the past, we've had problems with flooding, so the impact has been transformational.' As part of the support provided, Cwmpas has helped develop Baobab Bach's management structure, and supported strategic planning, funding bids, training sessions, and opportunities for networking. Alison continued: 'It's so important to access quality support. There are things on a business level which we simply don't know, but having a specialist adviser like Cwmpas with an external viewpoint is so valuable. Take that advice. It is very worthwhile.' The success of the Cwmpas and Bridgend County Borough Council partnership is also reflected in the story of well-being social enterprise Baldilocks. Director Dan Newman was the victim of a violent assault at age 18. He developed alopecia soon after – and from that trauma and adversity came hope and support in the shape of Baldilocks. Dan founded Baldilocks after attending a start-up workshop delivered by Cwmpas as part of the partnership in June 2024. He said: 'Alopecia is a condition where you may not want anyone to see you – but when you are seen with empathy and understanding, you feel more human. You feel cared for. 'We're here to help people through their adversity with a touch of humanity and humour: the more we connect as human beings, the more we gain. 'Support from the Council and Cwmpas has been a vital part of our journey. We've benefitted from expert advice on navigating the social enterprise landscape, and the nuances of developing a business that works both for you and the people you're impacting. 'Without the support of the partnership, we could have lost a lot of time and money. 'Social enterprise can be a gamechanger for the future economy. Go with your purpose first, and everything else will follow.' Cllr Neelo Farr, Bridgend County Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Economic Development, said: 'Our work with Cwmpas is a fantastic example of how working in partnership can have a huge impact on our local economy, businesses and residents. 'It's really pleasing that the targets have not only been met but exceeded. Thinking outside the box has been key to this, for example the social enterprise marketplace event was a first for our county borough. 'Our delivery of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund has allowed us to support our communities, help local businesses to grow, and provide useful training to residents. We are looking forward to building on this in the future.' Glenn Bowen, Director of Enterprise at Cwmpas, said: 'Our partnership with Bridgend County Borough Council to deliver the Social Enterprise support programme has been a resounding success. 'Our business advisers have enjoyed working with new and established social enterprises, which are making a huge difference in their communities, right across Bridgend County. As our client Dan Newman says, our region is full of potential. By tapping into this culture of resilience and community, social enterprise can be a gamechanger for the Welsh economy.'
