Councils offered chance to fast-track BSF schemes

More than 30 Building Schools for the Future (BSF) schemes, worth up to £6bn, are being offered the chance to jump the queue and launch this summer - up to five years ahead of schedule.

The move is aimed at schemes in BSF Waves 7 to 9, which were originally due to be launched between 2010 and 2013.

Partnerships for Schools (PfS), which oversees the BSF programme, declined to comment. But CJ understands that PfS is to offer 33 councils in Waves 7-9 the chance to fast-track their schemes, so long as they meet certain criteria. Those qualifying will be launched in June. The offer is part of a wider government plan to speed up the delivery of its £45bn BSF programme.

The criteria councils must meet include a commitment to stick to the standard method of delivery, using a Local Education Partnership a clear commitment from council's chief executives to support revenue funding and a guarantee that councils will have their own project directors and teams of advisors on board.

Insiders said a "substantial" number of Wave 7-9 schemes are ready to go. One source commented: "What we are seeing is a much greater focus on schemes being ready early. PfS has had quite a few queries from local authorities keen to start sooner and a number wanting to bring their BSF schemes forward to fit into their wider regeneration schemes."

Plans to simplify and speed up the BSF procurement process, following a recent in-depth PfS review, have also influenced the decision to bring schemes forward. One insider said: "The procurement changes, following the review, will speed up the pace of BSF, allowing Partnerships for Schools to bring more schemes forward."

A Major Contractors Group spokesman said: "The programme acceleration is good news, particularly as it follows close on the heels of the BSF Procurement Review plans to reduce bidding costs and make the procurement process more efficient.

"We hope this will help ensure the commitment, continuity and consistency of deal-flow - unpredictability only wastes capacity and hinders our ability to deliver best value."

BSF contractors welcomed the decision, but one warned: "This will have to be managed carefully to ensure there is sufficient industry capacity."