PFI Compliance

PFI Compliance, led by Lori Keating, was commissioned by Brighton & Hove City Council to provide independent advice on contractual and management issues, and then to lead negotiations between the Council, a package of 3 PFI Schools (Dorothy Stringer, Patcham and Varndean High Schools), and the PFI Provider. The Contract concerned was some 2 years old at the start of our Consultation, and our work with our public sector parties continues to date.

The studies commissioned by the council showed that there was a case for non-performance in some contract deliverables, and the firm was requested to work with the Council and the Schools to improve the Contract. Financial redress, due to non-compliance in specific areas was also sought and won.

The firm, whose advice ranged from detailed audits of deliverables, to investigation of historic construction issues, to recommendations for further practical and management improvements, provided the Council and the Schools with a more robust basis for Contract management in the future. Our audit specifically, formed a plank for all parties to understand the Contract’s functioning over its tenure.

The firm was recently re-commissioned to oversee a further number of detailed contractual and operational negotiations, to put the Contract on a firm long-term basis.

Our consultation with the Council, and with the Schools, evolved over time, and as different internal demands brought different matters to the fore. In essence, our brief was (and remains) to protect our public sector clients, and to take and recommend all managements steps necessary to put the Contract on a firm practical and financial footing.

The Service provided to Brighton & Hove was a bespoke solution, recognising the specific difficulties of the Contract. Our intention, with the launch of this Service, is to provide similar bespoke solutions for future clients, always understanding that any Consultation can be short or long term, and that public sector needs come first.

Please feel free to contact the Brighton Schools above, direct, if you wish to speak about or work, or to contact PFI Compliance for any more detailed information you might require.