One consultant both sides could trust to agree the PFI hand-back
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The challenge
Under a PFI agreement signed in March 2001, Care UK consolidated five outdated care homes into three purpose-built facilities within the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames.
Five years before expiry, the contract required a jointly agreed condition assessment and schedule of works to ensure the buildings would be returned in line with contractual output specifications.
The Council wanted assurance that the buildings would be handed back in the correct condition, while Care UK wanted certainty over investment obligations approaching contract end. COVID-19 restrictions further complicated access to operational care homes.
The solution
Bellrock was jointly appointed by both parties as the independent consultant.
Our team undertook condition surveys, maintenance reviews, project management services and specialist M&E assessments across all three homes. Working under the contract's hand-back provisions, we established a detailed compliance checklist and assessed each building against the agreed standards.
When negotiations became challenging, Bellrock provided objective interpretation of contract requirements, facilitated collaborative workshops and developed recommendations acceptable to both parties.
Survey and reporting activities were also adjusted around COVID-19 restrictions to maintain programme momentum.
Following agreement of the schedule of works, Richmond Council retained Bellrock as Independent Monitoring Surveyor to oversee delivery through to expiry.
The outcome
- Three 60-bed care homes assessed and surveyed
- Approximately £3m hand-back works programme agreed
- Eight months of negotiations concluded without dispute proceedings
- Public assets protected through objective technical assessment
- Care UK provided with a clearly defined scope of obligations
- Bellrock retained to monitor compliance and delivery
Client Quote
"Bellrock gave both sides the same facts and the same fair reading of the contract. That's what got the schedule agreed."
Head of Valuation and Asset Management, Richmond and Wandsworth Councils