Decision details

Building Schools for the Future was an ambitious capital programme which aimed to renew the school estate across the county and provide education buildings and ICT facilities fit for future learning. The programme was developed by central government during the 2000's and funded through the Private Finance Initiative with each phase subject to 25 year contracts. In Lancashire this has provided 14 schools, nurseries and colleges and two community facilities across three phases before the scheme was halted by central government in 2010.

Under Building Schools for the Future guidelines a complex management and delivery structure is in place with responsibility for managing the contract and associated investment sitting within the asset management service.

Since implementation the contract has not been reviewed. This is a highly specialised area and the use of an expert consultant in this field will greatly assist the county council by carrying out a contractual health check which will provide a thorough evaluation and challenge to the costs resulting from potential underperformance of the Private Finance Initiative contract and which may result in savings. This report proposes a waiver to the county council's procurement rules to complete the appointment of a Building Schools for the Future consultant.

Cabinet approved the recommendation as set out in the report.