General guidance and advice from DfES:
• It is a condition of DfES support to LEAs that they are prepared to share non-confidential information with other LEAs in order to avoid 're-inventing the wheel'.
• Standard contracts introduced, along with extensive guidance on their use (which all LEAs must use and agree any deviation with DfES) and standard LEA/schools agreements.
• Support for LEAs' procurement costs and work with a number of LEAs to strengthen and develop their in-house procurement capacity, including paying for the costs of this process.
• Developing joint venture companies to achieve greater efficiencies, further reduce procurement costs and make PFI more accessible to VA schools.
• The introduction of Asset Management Plans which now require LEAs to make links with educational improvement plans.
• Establishing a schools PFI website containing advice and information.
• Recently launching, at a national conference, a video and accompanying booklet produced by DfES and aimed at school governors to better inform them about schools PFI and their part in the process.