1 We examined how far the Contributions Agency, acting on behalf of the Department of Social Security, were likely to achieve their objectives for the project. At the time of the examination in early 1998 the contract with Newcastle Estate Partnership had just been signed and preliminary demolition and construction work had begun on site. The sites at Tyneview Park, Durham House, Bedewell and Longbenton had passed into the legal ownership of the consortium on 8 January 1998. The redevelopment of the Estate is not scheduled for completion until 2002. Therefore our work focused on the signed deal, and in particular the way it addresses the following aspects:
■ The achievement of operational objectives - particularly the extent to which the contract provides for the sustained availability of good quality, flexible accommodation; and
■ Value for money the extent to which the deal is likely to be a more economical, efficient or effective solution than the Department's alternative options for the Newcastle Estate, taking account of the transfer of risk to the private sector.