Richmond Council's education department has welcomed assurances that Jarvis will continue to honour its obligations under the PFI contract, following their announcement on Friday for the company's strategy to recover from its recent financial difficulties.

Part of that recovery strategy, says a statement from Richmond Council, is a focus on the provision of local authority outsourced services.

The contract with Jarvis covers both major building works to schools and subsequent long-term supply of services, such as catering and facilities management. Six of the seven major building contracts have already been completed. The one remaining building project, for the Trafalgar Schools at Elmsleigh Road in Twickenham, is expected to be finished in time for the autumn term.

The Council's Director of Education, Anji Phillips, said today: "We are pleased that Jarvis will continue to honour its obligations under its PFI contract.

"The Council wishes to continue working with its partners in the primary PFI project to see the project delivered within the existing framework and timescale set out in the contract.

"The shareholders and lenders involved in the project company itself have an incentive to make the resources available to ensure that this happens.

"We have assurances from the project company of their commitment to making the last remaining site available in time for the autumn term. However, contingency measures are being prepared just in case there is an unforeseeable delay."

See earlier articles:

Council PFI partner in crisis
Borough prepares for Jarvis crisis

Sunday, August 1, 2004

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