As a number of the early PPP contracts are approaching their end of contract, SFT has developed a programme approach to the issues for consideration in relation to the Handback of the Facilities.
There are around 120 Scottish PPP projects across the education, health, office and prison sectors and over 20 projects that will reach the end of contract in the next twelve years, including major health facilities as well as multiple schools projects.
It is these projects that are the focus of the programme approach to Handback that is outlined within this paper.
While the formal Handback provisions in most contracts do not commence until eighteen months or two years before the end of contract, our view is that preparation for Handback needs to commence at least five years out and, in case of more complex Facilities such as acute hospital contracts, between eight and ten years before the end of contract to allow sufficient time to plan and complete often complex lifecycle replacement works.
Discussions have already commenced with a number of Authorities in relation to Handback issues, including supporting condition surveys at individual Facilities and consideration of the wider issues that require to be addressed.
This paper builds upon that work and discusses some key issues that might arise in relation to Handback, recognising that each project will be affected by its own individual circumstances. It aims to provide practical guidance on the process to be followed and the support that we expect to be able to provide. It also sets out some key recommendations at paragraph 16.
In relation to health projects, SFT personnel are members of the NHS specialist support team and a member of its governing body, the Joint Board. The Joint Board is responsible for the programme of work of the specialist support team and it has been taking a similar approach to that taken by SFT.
A glossary of terms is included as Appendix 1.