Somewhat surprisingly, it’s just emerged that Jay Jayasundara, who headed up the PFI Roads project at the Isle of Wight council, will leave in March 2013 – just before the PFI work begins on 1st April 2013.
It’s been generally understood that he would be staying on to also lead the next big PFI the council is looking to run (or PPP as they refer to it) – the one covering the waste disposal contract for the Island. IWC budgeted half a million pounds to spend just this financial year on consultants on this project.
Two other PFI officers also leaving
Two other officers on the PFI will also be leaving – technical manager Malcolm Smith, who was previously a council officer for many years, most recently in the Highways department – and project engineer Roger Kimpton.
The County Press had been given a quote by Cllr Edward Giles, a long time supporter of the roads PFI and cabinet member responsible for highways, “All three leave the authority with our thanks and with the knowledge they have played a full part in making a real and positive difference to the lives of residents.”
The council didn’t make On The Wight aware of this development.
Council statement
Update 17:45
This just in from the council in response to our request.
Edward Giles, Isle of Wight Council cabinet member responsible for highways said; “Now the Highways PFI contract has been signed, the role of the team switches from one primarily dealing with procurement and negotiation of the contract to one of managing that agreement from 1 April 2013.
“This means that the size of the team will reduce. Leaving will be programme director Jay Jayasundara, technical manager Malcolm Smith and project engineer Roger Kimpton. Both Roger and Malcolm have over 40 years of local government service and they end their careers on a high note after successfully negotiating a major PFI contract.
“I would like to personally thank Jay, Roger and Malcolm for their work on the project. Jay has managed a team whose collective expertise has negotiated a deal that will bring the Island’s highways network up to an unprecedented standard. Furthermore, this dramatic improvement to the roads and streetscene will be done through a deal that represents excellent value for island residents
“Not only will Islanders get a greatly improved highways network, this network will be maintained in a more efficient manner. It means that the services in future to be provided by the PFI will be done so at a cost of £1 million less than under the current arrangements, for every single year of the 25 year period, making a total saving of £25m.
“Residents have for many years told us that improving the roads network should be a priority. Now, thanks to the team led by Jay and including the expertise and dedication of Roger and Malcolm, the highways network will indeed be brought up to the required standard.
“All three leave the authority with our thanks and with the knowledge that they have played a full part in making a real and positive difference to the lives of residents. I would particularly like to mention the contribution of Malcolm. As an Island-born man who has spent a lifetime in public service, he knows better than most the historic problems associated with our roads. I know he is delighted to be leaving the council with the knowledge that the roads are about to be comprehensively upgraded and that he has played a leading role in delivering this investment and improvement.”
Though the posts are being made redundant, all the officers, because of their age, are eligible to access their pensions.
