Mr Roddy Ingles Email: [email protected] Our ref: 376635 Date: 29 June 2017

Dear Mr Ingles

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.

Which companies have advised your local authority on each of its PFI projects and contracts from inception, through procurement, during construction and operation on issues relating to structural, legal, financial, governance, audit and performance review. Please provide that information by each PFI scheme, providing the HMT unique reference number.

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)

Despite a search of records, it has not been possible to identify the advisors used by Bedfordshire County Council.

Please provide documentation demonstrating how your local authority selected the advisers referred to above? Please provide any internal or external process documents (e.g. from HM Treasury/ Partnerships UK) in relation to the selection, a copy of invitations to tender and tender documents.

No records have been identified to answer this request.

Please provide documents demonstrating how your local authority, as part of that selection, ensured that the auditors and lawyers, accountants and business consultants referred to above were not conflicted in any way with any of the organisations involved previously or currently with your PFI project(s). This could include documents, statements and correspondence between the local authority and its auditors relating to any conflict of interest or potential conflict of interest.

No records have been identified to answer this request.

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 Please confirm who you have appointed as external auditors for the year 2015/16 and provide all policies/protocols or any other documentation which demonstrate how you ensure that there is no ongoing conflict of interest in relation to these auditors.

Ernst and Young LLC are the Council’s auditors and have not provided services other than external audit to the Council since its inception in April 2009.

Please quote the reference number 376635 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