HEADTEACHERS have raised concerns about the private company which manages and maintains and buildings used by seven schools.

Swindon Council entered into a 27-year contract in 2005 with John Laing, a public sector infrastructure management firm, to build the schools and manage the facilities.

The Private Finance Initiative schools are Nova Hreod, Isambard, Red Oaks, Orchid Vale, Moredon, Brimble Hill and Uplands.

The contract is held by Educational Support (Swindon) ES(S)L), a firm set up by John Laing, which is responsible for all management services, including grounds maintenance, furniture, fittings and equipment, and catering.

A recent internal audit report on Swindon Council’s management of the PFI contract found this operated satisfactorily.

However, a report at the council’s scrutiny meeting on Monday says despite significant improvements since the schools opened in 2006/7, the secondary school headteachers in particular continue to raise very strong concerns about the performance of ES(S)L.

The report says there are perceived latent defects with some buildings and secondary heads have raised ongoing issues, such as heating problems and the length of time taken to rectify defects.

Nova Hreod says the firm does not have sufficient staff to meet their needs adequately.

However, the provider believes it has sufficient management resources to meet contractual arrangements.

The report says heads have complained about poor communication from ES(S)L and questioned ES(S)L’s understanding of the school environment and the impact it has on day-to-day functions.

Headteachers have also complained they must pay certain costs upfront, meaning even small improvement projects they wish to undertake are unaffordable.

Coun David Renard, the cabinet member for children services, said the council entered into a PFI agreement because it was the only way to build schools at the time.

He said any new schools are likely to encounter problems but he said PFI schools would inevitably run into problems because of the many parties involved and the complex contract.

Coun Renard said: “It certainly is the case there are some issues.

“The headteachers are raising legitimate concerns and problems, and there have been instances where perhaps they requested a new double plug socket and that has been particularly problematic in terms of the time and the cost to get that done.”

He said council officers were reviewing the problems to see which can be solved quickly and easily and which could be most expensive and potentially involve negotiation with ES(S)L.

Aspokesman for ES(S)L said: “Education Support (Swindon) Ltd manages North Swindon Schools on behalf of Swindon Borough Council. ES(S)L endeavours always to provide the highest quality of service and we are working to address these matters with the council.”