Somerset signs BSF deal

The council has signed a contract with BAM PPP covering ICT services and a PFI contract for the construction, operation and maintenance of secondary schools. It includes facilities management and support services over 25 years. Under the first phase of the programme, the value of which has not been disclosed, three secondary schools in Bridgewater will be rebuilt under the now defunct BSF programme. They are Chilton Trinity, Elmwood and Robert Blake. Somerset signed the contract on behalf of itself and other organisations with responsibility for education in the county. They include voluntary aided and foundation schools, further education and adult education providers. The local primary care trust, Avon and Somerset Police Authority and Sedgemoor DC are also expected to use services provided through the contract. Somerset's BSF project was one of 33 school building and refurbishment projects to be approved by education secretary Michael Gove in August. Gove's approval was confined to specific schools chosen by the relevant councils, rather than applying to all of the secondary schools in an area. However, it was seen by some as an attempt to deflect criticism about the cancellation of the BSF programme. According to the BBC, three Labour councils are taking legal action over the government's decision to scrap BSF. The three, Nottingham City Council, Luton BC and LB Waltham Forest, are seeking a judicial review.