The immediate recommendations arising from the survey, which are not covered in our Stage 2 work are as follows:
• Wherever possible Authorities should ensure that formal feedback systems, for example user surveys, are in place as part of the contract process.
• Further research should be carried out to review whether the contractual remedies relating to snagging provide appropriate incentives to contractors to resolve these issues.
• Authorities should continue to focus on developing the up-front specification to minimise any changes during the construction period, particularly in the light of concerns about value for money. However there may be a case for streamlining the change procedure for relatively minor changes.
• The Scottish Executive / Departments / Local Authorities could consider carrying out further research in the area of hard FM provision, with the aim of producing best practice guidelines for authorities and contractors and informing the terms of future contracts.
• Further research should be carried out to look at ways of enhancing flexibility without losing the benefits of PPP, focusing on those sectors where flexibility is a key area (e.g. health).