Press release: Stakeholder voices to play key role in BSF Procurement Review
20 September 2007
Partnerships for Schools is inviting the BSF community to take part in a series of workshops and meetings as part of a targeted review of the procurement process that aims to introduce even greater efficiencies to the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme.
Architects, designers, ICT specialists, construction companies and procurement experts are being invited to engage in a conversation with PfS to explore three specific aspects: the place of design in the procurement process; the interface between ICT and construction procurement; and whether multi-area Local Education Partnerships could be created to encourage wider regeneration schemes beyond school building projects.
The review will provide PfS with the opportunity to have targeted, in-depth conversations with stakeholders about their views on improvements to the BSF process.
Tim Byles, Chief Executive of PfS, said:
“PfS is now working with 50 local authorities, and as the number of projects grow, so does our experience in managing this once-in-the-lifetime investment programme that will help transform education for millions of young people and teachers.
“It is widely accepted that the delivery of the BSF programme has picked up pace considerably over the past year. A package of measures designed to ensure that local authorities are ready to hit the ground running as soon as they enter the programme is already making a real difference to the timetable for delivery.
“This targeted Procurement Review enables us to reflect on what we have learned to date and, importantly, to listen to the views, experience and expertise of others in the wider BSF community.
“It is clear that any project of this scale benefits from regular refinement through learning and dialogue and I am committed to building on the improvements we have already made. This will focus on ways in which to increase the pace even more, keep costs to a minimum and, overall, ensure that we make the very most of this opportunity to transform education in secondary schools across England."
The BSF Procurement Review starts in October, and is expected to be complete by the end of December 2007.
Notes to Editors:
- Building Schools for the Future (BSF) is the largest single schools capital investment programme for over 50 years. The aim is to rebuild or renew every one of England?s 3,500 state secondary schools during the 15-year lifetime of the programme.
- Partnerships for Schools (PfS) is the delivery agency for Building Schools for the Future. PfS was established in April 2004 as a Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB), and is operated and funded under a joint venture between DCSF (formerly DfES) and Partnerships UK.
- PwC has been commissioned by Partnerships for Schools to conduct the review
MEDIA ENQUIRIES:
Amy Leonard, Communications Director, Partnerships for Schools: 07960 116966
