This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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West Lothian College
15/12/2006
West Lothian College's Public Private Partnership (PPP) contract is to be reviewed by the Scottish Funding Council to ensure the most efficient and effective use of public money.
Public Private Partnerships have delivered new top-class facilities across Scotland - in education, health and water. But PPP is just one of a range of funding options available to the public sector to improve infrastructure.
Ministers have highlighted the importance of appraising all potential funding routes to ensure the option selected represents the best approach for the taxpayer over the lifespan of the contract.
Lifelong Learning Minister Nicol Stephen said:
"The Funding Council believes that there are aspects of this particular contract which may not represent best value to the public purse and they wish to explore whether the current contract can be replaced with more cost-effective arrangements.
"The West Lothian contract is small by PPP standards, and it contains some features which we would not see in a modern PPP. For these reasons it is right that the Funding Council should review it.
"The overriding factor has to be value for public money and the delivery of the best possible service for students, staff and other customers."
Background:
West Lothian College moved in 2001 from outdated premises in Bathgate to a brand new campus in Livingston. The new College was constructed as a PPP project.
The Executive remains strongly committed to PPP as an option for large infrastructure developments. Ministers however have authorised the Scottish Funding Council, the body which funds Scotland's colleges, to undertake a review of the West Lothian College contract to ensure its future funding of the College delivers the best value.
Ministers have said that they will support whatever steps the Funding Council judges are necessary to secure best value from the public resources it provides to West Lothian College, and to deliver the best vocational education to the people of West Lothian.