Two bid for schools

by Glenda Thisdell



Jarvis and Laing/Hyder are contesting for The Metropolitan Borough of Wirral's £50m Private Finance Initiative grouped school scheme.

Mowlem was on the council's short list of contractors but has not been asked to put forward a best and final offer. The scheme involves the replacement of a primary and a secondary school and a mixture of extension work and refurbishment of a further seven secondary schools on the Wirral peninsular between the River Mersey and the River Dee. The 25-year facilities management part of the contract covers all building and services maintenance, grounds up-keep, catering and cleaning.

The council is analysing the contractors' submissions, which have incorporated build solution timetables that work around the school timetable. A decision is expected next month and the schools must be ready by Easter 2004.

l Jarvis is hoping to reach financial close on a £21m PFI scheme to relocate the Jews Free School to the London Borough of Brent by late summer and have the new school ready for September 2002.

l Liverpool City Council will be spending £4m on roof repairs to some 60 schools over the next 12 months. Among those to benefit are Anfield Infant and Juniors, Childwall Comprehensive and Abbots Lea Special School which have been promised up to £200,000 to buy replacement roofs.