Government issues guidance on managing expiry of PFI contracts effectively

The Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA) has issued guidance aimed at supporting public sector bodies to effectively manage the expiry of PFI contracts and transition process, “ensuring public services continue to be resilient, well-maintained and fit for purpose”.

The guidance, ‘Preparing for PFI Contract Expiry’, provides a framework and practical guidance for managing the expiry process, including asset handback and service transition.

The IPA said: “The publication sets out why effectively managing expiry is vital for ensuring value for money and seamless continuity of public services, makes recommendations on how to prepare for and manage the process, and provides detailed guidance on how these activities might be undertaken - all of which are based on the lessons learned from expired and expiring contracts.”

Matthew Vickerstaff, Director of Finance at the Infrastructure and Projects Authority, said: “I am pleased to announce the publication of this critical piece of guidance for public sector bodies and others dealing with the expiry of PFI contracts.

“These particular contracts deliver a wide range of vital public services and with many of these due to expire within the next 10 years, the government is committed to supporting a successful end of contract process.

“I would like to encourage PFI contracting authorities to utilise this practical guidance to help prepare for the specific challenges of the process and moving seamlessly into the future services provision.”

See also: New government guidance on PFI expiry - Rob Hann, Head of Local Government at Sharpe Pritchard, takes a look at new guidance on PFI expiry recently published by the IPA to help public bodies wrestle with the complexities of transition they will face as these contracts reach full term.