Mr Stuart Gamlin Email: [email protected] Our ref: 388634 Date: 29 June 2017

Dear Mr Gamlin

Freedom of Information Act 2000

I can confirm that the information requested is held by Central Council. I have detailed below the information that is being released to you.

This request for information is an attempt to seek reassurance about the safety of public buildings in the light of the findings revealed in the Inquiry commissioned following the collapse of a school building wall in Edinburgh and subsequent closure of 17 schools.

Please answer the following for each PFI/PPP schemes in the local authority area treating each scheme as a separate request.

Central Bedfordshire Council was created in 2009 and has not instigated any PFI/PPP schemes. In 2009 there was a transfer of functions from a predecessor authority, Bedfordshire County Council, a schools PFI, Mid-Bedfordshire Schools PFI, operational from 2003 (Financial Close 22/12/03) for assets at two schools that are now Academies – , Harlington, Bedfordshire, LU5 6NX ( from 1 March 2012) and Samuel Whitbread Academy, Shefford Road, Clifton, Shefford, SG17 5QS (Academy from 1 March 2012).

Please provide all documents showing how your organisation has responded to the findings contained in the report on Edinburgh Schools Construction by John Cole: including, but not limited to memos, emails, minutes, reports.

There are no documents at Council in respect in respect of a review of the report referred to.

Central Bedfordshire Council Please reply to: Access to Information Chief Executive's Team Telephone: 0300 300 8301 Central Bedfordshire Council Email: [email protected] Priory House, Monks Walk, , Shefford Bedfordshire SG17 5TQ I would like to understand the expertise and resource committed by your organisation to the management and oversight of PFI schemes from procurement through to ongoing contract operation. Please provide documents relating to the PFI Team(s) allocated to each project its makeup and structure of the team during each project phase. This may comprise terms of reference, organisation chart, post titles and role profiles.

There is no PFI team at Central Bedfordshire Council and the operational oversight of the scheme has been carried out by the specific schools referred to above. One position in the Council has had responsibility for liaison with the PFI operator Bedford Education Partnership alongside various other duties.

Provide the deed of appointment for the Independent Certifier and any other documents setting out the scope of that role. Please confirm the level of indemnity insurance and liability period.

The independent certifier was Currie & Brown Consulting Ltd. It has not been possible to confirm the level of indemnity insurance or the liability period.

Please confirm whether your organisation employed a member of the Institute of Clerk of Works or an inspector of similar standing and assigned them to each construction site. If someone in this role was employed please confirm their level of qualification, the salary associated with this role and how much time was allocated to per project/site.

It is not possible, despite a search of records, to confirm what inspection arrangements were in place at each site.

Please provide a list of all enforcement or improvement notices served; investigations carried out and reports commissioned into fire safety (include dates and specify who commissioned or issued these) Please provide copies of all items listed.

No details identified.

Provide details of all attempts to make deductions relating to structural defects for each project. Confirm the amount, what it was for, and when the deduction was made.

No details identified.

Please quote the reference number 388634 in any future communications.

If you wish to request a review of this response, please contact us either by email ([email protected] or) in writing to the reply address detailed below.

Access to Information Chief Executive’s Team Central Bedfordshire Council, Priory House, Monks Walk Chicksands, SG17 5TQ

If you are still dissatisfied with the Council’s response after the internal review you have a right of appeal to the Information Commissioner at: The Information Commissioner's Office Wycliffe House Water Lane Wilmslow Cheshire SK9 5AF. Telephone: 01625 545 700

Further information on the Freedom of Information Act 2000 is available through the Information Commissioner’s Office website at: www.ico.org.uk/

I will now close your request as of this date.

Yours sincerely

Joanne Mulliner Freedom of Information Officer