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PFI Scotland Edition 8: July 2000

EAST RENFREWSHIRE SCHOOLS

Background

In 1997, East Renfrewshire Council recognised that the increase in pupil numbers identified by a review of the school rolls could not be accommodated properly within the existing facilities. Projections indicated that within 5 years Mearns Primary School and St. Ninian's High School would both be more than 50% over capacity. Additionally, the buildings at Mearns Primary do not meet the standards required for the provision of a modern educational service. The original building was built in 1876, and the second building in 1961.

At St. Ninian's High, built in 1984, there is a dearth of suitable accommodation to meet the rising school roll. Significant constraints include insufficient specialist facilities for music, physical education, science and information technology, as well as a lack of interview rooms for guidance, learning support and senior staff.

For some years, both school have been using temporary classroom huts to alleviate overcrowding in the main buildings. Therefore, the Council prepared and evaluated a range of options to address this situation. It was decided to renew the facilities, and the Private Finance Initiative was the chosen procurement method. Accordingly, bids were invited from the private sector.

In April this year, the Council entered into a contract with East Ren School Services Ltd.

The contract is for design, construction, financing, maintenance and operation of the facilities for 25 years. Construction work started on both sites in April 2000.

Features

The facilities comprise a new four stream primary school, including a 50/50 place nursery, on a greenfield site to replace the existing Mearns Primary. The existing St. Ninian's High School will be extended to include 29 classrooms, and a free-standing sports hall.

Benefits

The Council believe that the following benefits will arise:

• School site and facilities
  Scope for expansion, ease of access, flexible accommodation, security, maintenance, price certainty.
• Educational
  Specialist rooms, curricular expansion, special needs, future needs, sports.
• Community
  Sports, meetings, exhibitions, theatre.

Facts

Sponsor: East Renfrewshire Council
Contact: J McKinney (0141 577 3069)
Constructor: Jarvis Special Projects
Legal Advisers: Burness
Contractor: Jarvis Construction (UK) Ltd
Service Providers: Jarvis Workspace FM
Design: Keppie Design with McLay Collier, Blyth & Blyth, and Hirst.
Debt Financing: Barclays Bank plc
Contact Signed: 20 April 2000
Capital Cost: £15m
Contract Length: 25 years

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