Conflicts of Interest in commercial archaeology

[Sparky]

Hi All,

In answer to the question posed by VoR, Cambrian Arcaheological Projects appear to very busy with survey for RCAHMW, various works at Cadw sites and a plethora of other projects outside of Wales. They also offer geophysics.

I would be careful not to tar all the Trusts with the brush of inquiring tar. Not mentioning any names, one certain trust I know of are an excellent organisation to shame many English units. However, they have had a terible experience with a couple of English units which makes them uneasy. On the otherhand, a few outside units have performed well in their area and are welcome to return.

I'd rather be positive on this as the Trusts are well intended and, as mentioned above can provide a good example to all of us but there a few niggling annoyances and inconsistencies...

S

[Pipeliner]

Gwynedd Archaeological Trust also undertook work on the A55 across Anglesey, it wasnt all BUFAU !

Be interested to know what has happened to the final report from this work? Completed in 1999, a few public talks and nothing since? Is the post ex still going on?

Come on BUFAU and GAT let us know what is happening with this European Developer Funded Work?

[darksider]

So, is there any differences in quality of approved WSIs, field work and reporting between Welsh and outside units?

Anyone going to comment?

Count Dooku Consultants

Environmental Advisors to the Separatist Movement

“The dark side of the Force is a pathway to many abilities some consider to be unnatural”.

[Gog]

To widen the issue away from bashing the Welsh trusts, how about the cosying up between units and utilities - we have had a number of pipeline jobs in our area that we never see a tender for. And is the OA/WA collaboration over the airports strictly fair play? (thats a real question, by the way, not a rhetorical one). Is it ever acceptable (legality aside) for a major developer to have a favoured contractor?

[Mole]

Gog
I have been told that the creation of Framework (WA/OA collaboration) was to do with BA policy of not employing small companies and on paper WA and OA combined are a large company. How true this is or whither it is only spin I don't really know.

As for other units and favored contractor status I don't really have a problem with this. To gain favored status you generally have to put in alot of work to show that the clent is getting value for money - this means not only taking on the nice big jobs but doing the small crappy out of the way jobs as well. Also alot of time and effort tends to be spent 'advising' on jobs often for little immediate return ie. at the pre-planning planning design stage advising on the likely arch implications of any given development. I am not overly sure of the term 'favored contractor' as a unit is only as good as the last project undertaken for specific developers. Which means that the outcomes of every project dictate whither you are used again.

Finally, I do struggle to see where their is a problem with this as if you employ a plumber and they do a good job you are more likely to contact the same plumber again if you need more work, they same thinking applies.

[Soils]

Just to note, whilst people question the way archaeology works in Wales,
There are contractors from outside Wales working in Wales. In Fact i would go as far to say that most of the recent big contracts have gone to English Units. Think about that big scare across the Welsh landscape, that is the Pipeline, English units worked on that (as well as a couple of Welsh Units), Swansea excavations currently English units. It is true however that the set-up in Wales is different to that in England, we do not have county archaeologist in the same way you do. We have the Trust system, and communication and partnership works very well between the various organisations in Wales.

[BAJR Host]

Thanks Soils. Perhaps there is some confusion about the working of the Welsh Trusts. Though it seems that they are able to separate church from state (so to speak)

"No job worth doing was ever done on time or under budget.."
Khufu

[Sparky]

Being able to separate Church between state is a good aspect to the Welsh Trusts. However, in my experience, to quote Soils, 'We have the Trust system, and communication and partnership works very well between the various organisations in Wales.', possibly a bit too well. Furthermore, its the 'communication and partnership within (not between) each Trust which is also being questioned, as posed by Trowelfodder.
Please note that although Outsiders do work in Wales, it isn't the trusts that apppoint them at the tender stage.
Why don't the Trusts tender for work outside of Wales? Or do they?

[darksider]

And to echo Sparky's comments .....are the Welsh Trusts big enough and have the knowledge and capability to take on large projects like the said pipeline?

It is perhaps a reflection of this that BUFAU (as stated aboved in Pipeliners post) were also employed along with GAT on the large Road build of the A55 across Anglesey.

And GOG I dont think anyone is bashing the Welsh Trusts, it would seem from comments posted on here that there are fair questions to be answered by them.




Count Dooku Consultants

Environmental Advisors to the Separatist Movement

“The dark side of the Force is a pathway to many abilities some consider to be unnatural”.

[Soils]

The Welsh Trusts to my knowledge do not work outside there areas.
The Trusts 'commercial' sides tend to be relatively small operations, working mainly on small scale excavations and projects, often with the need for local historical knowledge.
One has to remember that commercial development in most of Wales is normally on a very small scale. The amount of archaeological work undertaken outside of the cities is very limited, as there is not the amount of development in Wales as there is in England. If commercial archaeology was viable in Wales as it is in England, we would see more independently run units, but this is not financially viable in Wales as there is not the work available.