Catalyst Lend Lease or Land Securities Trillium will be selected in January

The selection of a winning bidder on the £1.2bn Birmingham Building Schools for the Future has been put back until next year.

A preferred bidder on the scheme, on which Catalyst Lend Lease and Land Securities Trillium are the remaining competitors, was due to be announced tomorrow after a series of delays dating back to the spring.

However, Birmingham council has now said it anticipates selecting a bidder on 12 January, with an announcement the following day.

A spokesperson for Birmingham council said: "Final Bids were received recently for Birmingham council's Building Schools for the Future initiative. The Council were hopeful of concluding the evaluation process and recommending the appointment of a Preferred Bidder at cabinet on 15 December 2008. We have been unable to do so as there are a number of outstanding clarifications with the bidders. This has resulted in the cabinet report being delayed."