The Leicester Miller Education Company (LMEC), has reached Financial Close on a further two schools in the Leicester BSF (Building Schools for the Future) Programme, totalling £45 million.
LMEC, a partnership between Miller Construction, Leicester City Council, Semperian, G4S and BSFi, will fund and manage the development of the new facilities at City of Leicester College and Crown Hills Community College. Upon completion, LMEC will assume responsibility for the management and maintenance of both schools, on behalf of Leicester City Council over a 25 year period.
Miller Construction has been appointed as main contractor for the design and build of both schools, while G4S will provide Facilities Management services.
Chris Webster, Chief Executive, Miller Construction, said: “It has been a challenge to get these projects over the line in what is currently a very difficult economic environment. It is testament to the strength of the partnership between Leicester City Council and LMEC that we have been able to achieve this. I am delighted we have reached Financial Close on both of these projects and can now focus on further strengthening our partnership with Leicester City Council and ensure the successful delivery of these two schools.”
In addition to delivering the PFI Project, LMEC has signed contracts with Leicester City Council and Northgate Information Solutions to provide ICT services to both schools, totalling £3.2 million.
Councillor Vi Dempster, Assistant City Mayor, said: "I am delighted that Financial Close has been reached. Rushey Mead will be ready to hand over later this year and with these next two schools starting construction this means that we are now on course to be the most accelerated BSF programme in the country.
"This can only be good news, not only for the current and future students at these schools but also for the city as a whole, as the programme brings new employment opportunities across a wide range of areas."
City of Leicester College and Crown Hills Community College are the sixth and seventh schools to be delivered by LMEC through the Leicester BSF programme, bringing the total construction value of contracts signed to over £125 million.
Leicester City Council’s Strategic Director, Children, Rachel Dickinson said: “Everyone has worked incredibly hard to get us to this stage where building work can start and we can deliver the next 2 schools in our extensive BSF programme, and I would like to thank the Council’s team and partners for all their hard work meeting the challenge of closing the two PFIs in such challenging financial circumstances, they have done a great job for the schools and for Leicester.”
“This investment is set to dramatically improve the educational landscape in the City for ever. The Head Teachers at both schools have been extremely supportive and I know they are looking forward to seeing work begin and their new schools open in Autumn 2013.”
"Next year we will be looking at a further 15 projects coming on line within a 12-month timeframe and I know that the council team and our delivery partners are working hard to make sure that we hit every deadline."
LMEC has also commenced design and development work in conjunction with Miller Construction and Leicester City Council on the remaining 16 schools in the Leicester BSF programme. With a combined value of over £120 million these projects are expected to reach contract closure in late 2012 and early 2013.