R j Dance (cont.) Ltd has been a member of the key trade organisations for many years. These include Interlay, Construction Line, and the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). We are also a member of the Contractors Health & Safety Assessment Scheme (CHAS).

Individually, some of our staff have obtained incorporation (I. Eng) through the Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE) or through the chartership programme (C. Eng). Some of our Project Managers have obtained qualifications in PRINCE II project management, a National General Certificate of Health & Safety with NEBOSH, and New Roads & Street Works (NRSW) with the Highways Agency.

We continue to want to improve and as such are currently committed to the Investors in People programme. This will enable us to build on our strengths and identify weaknesses in our recruiting and development. R J Dance is committed to equal opportunities.

R j Dance (cont.) Ltd assesses quality at every stage of project delivery. We believe that it is not just about getting the job done but 'how' you do it. Over the years we have incorporated quality checks into our systems and continue to try and improve wherever we can. Whether we are setting up an initial meeting or finishing off a long-standing project, quality is at the forefront of everything we do.

Company policy is to provide a service that is second to none and to this end we have developed and recorded a Quality System which covers every aspect of Company operations and which we shall maintain to International Quality Standard BS EN ISO 9001 and beyond......

Customer service:
Customer service is at the heart of everything that we do. We are aware that increasingly the general public will have a greater say in service provision. This is why we employ a full-time traffic management manager to liaise with the public on our behalf.

Environment:
As part of our ISO 14001 and ISO 9001 approved Quality System, we make regular checks to ensure that both suppliers and sub-contractors are adhering to our environmental standards. In particular, we may check fuel storage facilities and noise and dust control methods. We keep an approved suppliers list that is updated when required. In addition, we are regularly inspected by S.G.S international Ltd (a certification company), to ensure our standards are maintained.

Technology
We have worked hard to adopt and understand the role that new technology will play in our future. Since the installation of MAYRISE, a system that links us directly with many of our public service clients, our office runs virtually paper-free. It also provides us with further benefits including improved response times and quicker dissemination of information to all stakeholders involved.

Partnerships:
R j Dance (cont.) Ltd will face some key challenges in the near and distant future. We can see that our service contracts are moving towards partnership agreements. We understand that delivering service is not just about getting the job done but more importantly, how it is done. This is why we have a Quality System with a dedicated Quality Management Team (QMT) to oversee its effective operation. A large part of the process involves obtaining feedback from our customers, monitoring objectives and targets set by the QMT and auditing our systems. Regular quality management meetings ensure that issues are dealt with swiftly and efficiently.

All our larger projects are provided with key quality management personnel all trained in PRINCE II methods of working. A typical example of such a project would include a project manager, with further consultation during the planning phase from a quality assurance manager and a health & safety manager . Other quality management personnel such as our environmental manager and transport manager may be consulted.

R j Dance (cont.) Ltd takes its responsibilities to the environment very seriously. And as a result, we have worked hard to set up our own Environmental Management System (EMS) which is part of our ISO 14001: 2004 certification.

Under our EMS, we annually set quantity targets for recycling our waste and currently we recycle a high proportion. Paper, minerals and waste oils are sent to recycling facilities and concrete, tarmac, fines and soil are sent to our own waste recycling facility in Surrey, which is screened and reused. New ways to minimise waste are always being sought.

Electricity, gas, water, diesel and petrol are monitored by our transport manager with the aim of reducing energy consumption where we can. We are presently investigating new vehicles driven by alternative fuels.

We provide construction materials from registered aggregate manufacturers. Where possible, we try to source from local suppliers to reduce transport costs. Where appropriate, we try to extol the virtues of using recycled aggregates and shall continue to do so. We are delighted to have recently persuaded a client to use recycled glass sand, verge posts made from reclaimed wood, and recycled tarmac on a project. We have recently reached our target of using 20% recycled materials on our projects.

Any sub-contract labour needs to apply to be on our Approved Suppliers List. For approval on the list, contractors need to fill in an extensive environmental questionnaire which will need to be signed by a director of that company. We have found that this ensures that our high standards are adhered to.

RjD has won awards and/or recognition for outstanding work to the community. Examples include:

'Homezone' - an award for outstanding design and build of zones to effect traffic calming in the Kingston area.

'Safer routes to school' - recognition in the press of our contribution towards the traffic calming measures in and around the schools in Brighton & Hove.

'Market Place' - recognition in the press and by the Mayor for outstanding work in the Market Place, Kingston upon Thames.