Joint press release: Solihull Council selects BAM PPP as preferred bidder

Solihull Council is one of the first authorities to reach this stage of the Building Schools for the Future programme, and the first in the country to develop a tailored approach which does not use the standard "Local Education Partnership" model, which did not offer the best value for Solihull due to the timing of different tranches of funding.

Leading-edge IT equipment, including smart whiteboards, a school management system, a "learning environment" which is a workspace for students and teachers, and internet telephone (VoIP) service will all be provided through a separate £6-million ICT contract which has been awarded by the Council to RM (Research Machines), a specialist education IT provider.

The scheme consists of cutting edge design solutions for the reprovision of Smith's WoodSchool (1400 pupils), Park Hall School (1400 pupils), Archbishop Grimshaw School (1400 pupils) and Lanchester School & Pupil Referral Unit (90 pupils).  Archbishop Grimshaw is a traditionally funded design & build, with the other three schools funded through PFI. The phased building programme commences in March 2007 with Park Hall, Archbishop Grimshaw and LanchesterSchools operational in September 2008 and Smith's Wood operational in September 2009.

Facilities management services include, cleaning, security, helpdesk, waste management, building and services management, landscape maintenance, and sports pitch management. The Council will continue to provide catering services to the new schools.

The Solihull BSF programme provides an excellent opportunity for BAM PPP and Solihull Council  to work in partnership and deliver first class learning environments through innovative and flexible educational designs that will inspire aspiration and achievement in the new schools. The new environments will enable 21st Century teaching practices and help raise attainment levels.

Commendations and quotes:

Councillor Ken Meeson, Cabinet Member for Education and Children's Services, Solihull Council said:

'We are looking forward to working closely with BAM PPP to develop their proposal, which will provide first-rate schools and help us continue on our journey transforming secondary education inNorth Solihull.'

Andrew Robertson, Deputy Chief Executive of Partnerships for Schools, said:

'We congratulateSolihullon choosing their preferred bidder for this BSF project, and look forward to working with the Council and BAM PPP on the renewal of these secondary schools. The Council has already demonstrated a commitment to sustainability and partnership working in the building ofForestOak and Merstone, which were quick wins for the BSF programme. The same commitment to these key aspects of BSF will no doubt be evident in their future plans.'

1. BAM PPP is the PPP investment division of Royal BAM Group undertaking PFI/ PPP in the Netherlands, Belgium, United Kingdom, Ireland and Germany with a concessions portfolio of £1.7bn.  HBG Construction Ltd and HBG Facilities Management Ltd are business units of HBG UK Ltd.  HBG UK Ltd is part of the €8 billion turnover European construction company Royal BAM Group. HBG UK Ltd is one of the UK's leading construction services organisations, with a turnover of £900 million. It operates throughout the UK from regional centres in Bristol, Cardiff, Coventry, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, London, Manchester and Newcastle.  HBG Facilities Management currently provides a full range of hard and soft FM services in BAM PPP schools, colleges, hospitals and police headquarters within the UK portfolio.
2. Solihull Council serves around 200,000 people delivering local services in a borough of great contrast - polarised between an affluent south and a relatively deprived north. We are prioritising investment in the north of our borough through delivery of the first  Building Schools for the Future  scheme in the country and other partnerships which together will raise achievement, offer new opportunities and deliver our vision for Solihull: a place where well-being, pride and quality of life is enjoyed by all.
3. Partnerships for Schools (PfS) works with local authorities and the private sector to manage and deliver BSF. Our education and design specialists work with local authorities to develop education visions to create innovative and exciting learning environments for schools. Our procurement and project management experts ensure that the BSF programme is delivered in the most cost-effective way for the taxpayer. PfS is also delivering the Academies Programme on behalf of the DfES.

For more information:

• BAM PPP: Vicki Sutherland, Marketing, BAM PPP, Telephone 0141 333 6126 or email v.sutherland@bamppp.com or Alan Smith, HBG UK Public Relations Department, Telephone 020 8338 2635 or email asmith@hbgc.co.uk or Lucie Culkin telephone 020 8338 2710 or email lculkin@hbgc.co.uk, Website www.hbgc.co.uk
• Solihull Council: Angharad Lynch, Communications Manager, Telephone 0121 704 6164 or email alynch@solihull.gov.uk or  Julie Turner, Communications Officer, Telephone 0121 704 6136 or email juturner@solihull.gov.uk, Website  www.solihull.gov.uk
• Partnerships for Schools: Antonia Russell, Communications Manager, Telephone 020 7273 0060 or email Antonia.Russell@partnershipsforschools.org.uk, Website www.partnershipsforschools.org.uk