Your questions answered: Tim Byles on Building Schools for the Future

Q: Will PfS continue to strongly encourage the use of LEPs, and does Tim Byles agree that Local Authorities are, in general, becoming more comfortable with using a LEP-model for their BSF projects ?

A: The Local Education Partnership is the default procurement vehicle for BSF as it delivers good value for money to the public purse. All authorities joining BSF are now adopting the LEP model and we are even seeing authorities from the early days of the programme who originally did not want to set up a LEP now wanting to establish one for the later phases of their projects. Many local authorities are also recognising that LEPs can help them deliver wider investments beyond BSF schools, including primary schools, healthcare centres, leisure facilities and even housing.

Is there a published list of LAs involved in each of the waves 1 to 9?

A list of authorities in Waves 1 – 6 are published on the PfS website. The DCSF is currently consulting on the criteria to determine the order in which the remaining authorities join the programme. Once this has concluded, further information on those authorities not yet in the programme will be made available.

Tim Byles mentioned the review of operational LEPs - how will this be undertaken?

The review of operational LEPs will be carried out on PfS’ behalf by PwC. Details of the review can be found on the PfS website: http://www.p4s.org.uk/media/press/pr_2008-05-21-OperationalLEPsReview.jsp

Why are PfS requiring a minimum of £1m turnover for consultants to be on their national framework. This prevents Small/Medium Enterprises from becoming engaged in the programme and developing service offerings. Do you think it is fair to exclude us?

While it is correct to say that there is a turnover requirement, I would not agree with the statement that this excludes smaller players from getting involved in the programme. We make it clear that there is the opportunity for organisations to come together as a consortium to meet with this requirement. This approach may also be helpful in meeting the likely scope of duties which could range from project management, developing the client’s brief, producing option appraisals, assisting in bidder evaluations and contract negotiations for the Local Education Partnership, PFI and D&B schemes.

When can we expect PfS' Procurement Review to be published?

Minister for Schools, Jim Knight, formally approved the Procurement Review recommendations on 6 May. An executive summary of the final report has been published on the PfS website (http://www.p4s.org.uk/media/press/pr_2008-05-06-ProcurementReview.jsp), with the full report available on request.

Tim Byles mentioned the review of operational LEPs - how will this be undertaken?

The review of Operational LEPs will be carried out on PfS’ behalf by PwC. Details of the review can be found on the PfS website: http://www.p4s.org.uk/media/press/pr_2008-05-21-OperationalLEPsReview.jsp