黑洞社区

The government鈥檚 flagship school building programme has been attacked by one of the scheme鈥檚 leading consultants, in the most scathing attack on the initiative to date.

Amid mounting criticism of the programme, EC Harris has compiled a detailed dossier of the failings in the 黑洞社区 Schools for the Future (BSF) scheme鈥檚 procurement process. The report, to be sent to client Partnerships for Schools (PfS) and seen by 黑洞社区, says BSF鈥檚 current procurement process could result in schools being poorly built and designed. It warns that:

• Bidders are underbidding
• The complex structure of BSFprocurement is likely to drive down the quality of design, as the best designers will be tied up in the bidding process.
• PfS has not accounted for varying costs across the country.
• Inflation of costs from delays could eat up the increased capital funding announced in the Comprehensive Spending Review.

EC Harris was part of the team that won the first BSF schools contract in Bristol. It recently formed a joint venture with civils contractor VT Group to advise councils on the BSF programme.

An industry source said BSF was 鈥渁t least two years behind schedule鈥� on delivering 3,500 new and rebuilt schools.

He said: 鈥淲hen it was launched in 2004, BSF said it would have everything built in 10-15 years. Each year since they鈥檝e said the same thing.鈥�

It is understood that at least two local authorities have tried to opt out of the programme during procurement. A source said PfS had to 鈥渃oax and arm-wrestle鈥� them to stay with the process.

Reports last weekend suggested that the procurement programme would be suspended during its review, announced in September. These were denied by PfS.

A PfS spokesperson said: 鈥淲e are yet to receive a submission from EC Harris but will be happy to consider any points raised.鈥�