It is essential at construction and operational phases of the PFI Project to have joint decision-making at both member and officer level. The Authorities are using the Lead Authority model in the IAA for the procurement phase. The Lead Authority Model will also be adopted in the Second Inter Authority Agreement.
There will be a graded set of decision classifications so that decision making is at an appropriate level through delegated authorities, reserving critical (executive) decisions for all three Authorities. Timescales for decision making will be introduced.
On-going management of the Project will involve a number of areas that require consents or approvals. Some of these may fall to be decided by a single Authority (for example, where only its operations or facilities are affected). Others will require unanimity (for example, changes in key sub-contractors by the PFI contractor or in its funding arrangements). Other areas may permit majority voting, but these are likely to be few.