Policy and Strategy Committee

Wednesday 5 December 2001 at 4.30 pm

Present:  Provost Roach, Councillors Blair, Calvert, Jackson, McCabe, McGhee, Mitchell, O'Rourke, Rebecchi, Robertson (A) and Robertson (Y).

Chair:  Councillor Jackson presided.

In attendance:  Chief Executive, Depute Chief Executive, Director of Community & Protective Services, Mr J Sutherland (for Director of Education Services), Director of Finance Services, Director of Legal & Support Services, Director of Social Work & Housing Services, Head of Personnel Services, Head of Property Services and Managing Solicitor (Committees/Contracts).

Apologies:  Councillor Morrison (M).

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Schools Public Private Partnership Project:  Outline Business Case

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There were submitted (1) report dated 3 December 2001 by the Director of Legal & Support Services on a request from the Education Services Committee of 29 November 2001 that approval be given to the outline business case for a Public Private Partnership project for Inverclyde schools for submission to the Scottish Executive and for a 30 year funding scheme for the project and (2) report dated 3 December 2001 by the Director of Finance Services advising of the financial implications arising from the proposed Public Private Partnership project and identifying an alternative option utilising a comparable funding level. 

(Councillor McGhee entered the meeting during consideration of this item of business).

Following discussion, Councillor Jackson moved:-

(1)  that it be noted that whilst the public sector comparator allowed a view to be formed on the value for money aspect of the procurement mechanism, it was not a true alternative;

(2)  that the alternative proposal contained within the report dated 3 December 2001 by the Director of Finance Services which identified an alternative proposal to the Public Private Partnership model be noted but that it also be noted that whilst it could be contained within the financial implications derived from the Public Private Partnership proposal, it identified insufficient funding to complete the modernisation element of the project;

(3)  that approval be given to the outline business case for a Public Private Partnership project for Inverclyde schools detailed in the report by the Director of Education Services submitted to the Education Services Committee on 29 November 2001 and amended by the report dated 28 November 2001 by the Director of Finance Services and that this be submitted to the Scottish Executive;

(4)  that approval be given to funding of £2.806 million in year 1 rising to £5.382 million in year 30; and

(5)  that it be remitted to the appropriate Officers to implement a communications strategy to cover all aspects of the Public Private Partnership project.

As an amendment, Councillor Mitchell moved that the Council embark on a phased programme of schools freprovisioning and refurbishment and that the costs be met from existing Council funding sources.

On a vote, 3 Members voted for the amendment and 8 for the motion which was declared carried.

Decided: 

(1)  that it be noted that whilst the public sector comparator allowed a view to be formed on the value for money aspect of the procurement mechanism, it was not a true alternative;

(2)  that the alternative proposal contained within the report dated 3 December 2001 by the Director of Finance Services which identified an alternative proposal to the Public Private Partnership model be noted but that it also be noted that whilst it could be contained within the financial implications derived from the Public Private Partnership proposal, it identified insufficient funding to complete the modernisation element of the project;

(3)  that approval be given to the outline business case for a Public Private Partnership project for Inverclyde schools detailed in the report by the Director of Education Services submitted to the Education Services Committee on 29 November 2001 and amended by the report dated 28 November 2001 by the Director of Finance Services and that this be submitted to the Scottish Executive;

(4)  that approval be given to funding of £2.806 million in year 1 rising to £5.382 million in year 30; and

(5)  that it be remitted to the appropriate Officers to implement a communications strategy to cover all aspects of the Public Private Partnership project.