PfS named as ‘Best Team’ in national awards
20 May 2009
Partnerships for Schools has been named as the ‘Best Government/Government Agency Team’ in the Public Private Finance Awards 2009 announced in London last night [Tuesday 19 May].
The Government agency, responsible for delivery of the Building Schools for the Future and Academies programmes, beat teams from the Department for Health, Ministry of Defence and the European Investment Bank amongst others to the award.
Tim Byles, Chief Executive of PfS, said: “Winning this award comes at the end of a busy and productive year for Partnerships for Schools. It is particularly gratifying that our peers have recognised our achievements - from the 71 schools now benefitting from BSF investment, to the introduction of new processes and guidance to make delivery of BSF more effective, timely and cost-efficient, the fact that contracts continue to be signed despite the difficult economic conditions, as well as positive comments on our management of this once-in-a-lifetime programme from the National Audit Office.
“With many challenges and changes ahead for PfS over the coming 12 months, winning the ‘Best team’ award is a wonderful way for us to reflect on our successes and celebrate what, dedication, enthusiasm and team work can achieve.”
Other BSF winners on the night included South Tyneside and Gateshead (STaG) BSF which won two awards - Best Education Project and Best Public Sector Project Team, and Aura Newcastle named as Best Private Sector Consortium.
Notes to Editors:
For more information about the Public Private Finance Awards see: http://www.awards.publicprivatefinance.com
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 England’s state secondary schools estate during the 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. In 2006 PfS also assumed responsibility for delivery of the Academies programme.
The National Audit Office report into BSF, published in February 2009, stated that the programme is now being well managed and that PfS is keeping costs under control. It added: “BSF schools have been built to a higher specification and space standards than previous schools”
71 schools across England have now benefited from BSF investment; 32 BSF schemes have now reached Financial Close; 19 Local Education Partnerships (LEPs) have been established.
