Finance Committee to launch inquiry into Public Private Partnerships

The National Assembly’s Finance Committee has today agreed the terms of reference for its inquiry into the use of Public Private Partnerships (including PFI scheme). The Committee wants to investigate whether more schools, hospitals and other public sector projects could be taken forward in Wales using private money. The Committee has agreed to examine the scope for drawing on private finance for public sector projects with particular reference to:

1. The potential benefits, costs and risks that may be involved;
2. Any policy changes (whether to remove barriers or apply controls) that may be needed to realise the outcome;
3. Practical guidance to enable the public sector to strike the most advantageous arrangements within the agreed policy framework.

Alun Cairns AM, Chair of the Committee, said: “We are looking at this totally objectively. An important part of the Committee’s remit is to scrutinise the Welsh Government’s policies to ensure that they provide the taxpayer with value for money. It is very appropriate for us to look into whether more public-private partnerships should be used in Wales. We will looking at all the evidence and examining it closely before making our recommendations.” The Committee will now seek oral and written evidence from interested parties. An expert adviser will also be appointed to help the Committee with the inquiry. More details about the Committee