Haringey Council’s PFI scheme for schools is putting profits before pupils, according to Liberal Democrat councillors. The Lib Dems have learned that schools are having to compromise on the timing of events such as parents’ evenings in order to be able to host other events on school premises.

Many schools in the borough are run by Jarvis, who manage the buildings and are charged with the maintenance and renting out of school buildings in the evenings and at weekends. The Lib Dems have previously expressed their concern at rises in hall hire prices, while the Audit Commission has questioned the effectiveness of PFI in the running and construction of school buildings.

However what is of deeper concern to Lib Dem leader, Ross Laird, is how powerless schools are in using their facilities after 7.00pm without Jarvis’ approval. Schools must ask Jarvis to book events in advance, and even then, can only do so if a private outside group has not already done so. The result is that many events for parents and pupils are compromised or moved to outside venues.

Cllr Ross Laird comments:

“It is wrong that schools in the borough have to make compromises in order to fit in events such as parents’ evenings before the 7pm change over. The result is that many working parents miss such events and thus miss an opportunity to find out more about their child’s progress and educational needs.

“Jarvis has got to be made aware that pupils come before profits, and we will be working hard to ensure that they do.”

Lynne Featherstone, Muswell Hill councillor, who has previously taken up the issue of charges to local voluntary organisations for use of school facilities, comments:

“This is yet another example of how people in Haringey are losing out because of Labour’s PFI contract. I have previously taken up the problems that local groups have faced over increases in charges for the use of rooms. This time, it is schools themselves that are suffering, and having to play ‘second fiddle’ to other private finance priorities.”