Free support available for PFI authorities in local government
Local Partnerships and the IPA are pleased to confirm that PFI authorities in local government can now access immediate free support from Local Partnerships with joint insurance cost reports (JICR), as provided under many PFI contracts.
As authorities will be aware, these reports can often be materially non compliant with relevant provisions in PFI contracts resulting in reduced shares in insurance cost savings being paid to authorities.
Local Partnerships is providing immediate helpdesk support through the IPA’s Local Government Budget – Local Government Budget Information – Private Finance Initiatives – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) – comprising:
1
Review of Joint Cost Insurance Reports (JICR), advising on interpretation and compliance with relevant drafting and advising how authorities can challenge a report
2
Supporting authorities in drafting correspondence to challenge a JICR
3
Supporting authorities in meetings with PFI contractors and related parties including advising on meeting preparation and either leading or contributing to negotiations as an adviser to the authority
As authorities will know, there is a limited window to reject a JICR and we therefore recommend that authorities forward any JICR immediately on receipt from the PFI contractor to Local Partnerships so we can carry out a review and feed back comments quickly.
Local Partnerships will need to work closely with authorities’ PFI teams but also with authority insurance (and possibly legal) colleagues to agree suitable responses and next steps where there is a legitimate cause to reject a report.
Queries about this support and any JICRs should be sent
to georgia.lewis@localpartnerships.gov.uk and michael.berrington@localpartnerships.gov.uk.
Further information can also be obtained through the IPA and sponsor departments.
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