PPP Management

We provided comment in March on measuring project delivery against three criteria: time, cost and performance (i.e. adherence to specification / user requirements ). The Guardian identifies the current problems that Network Rail are experiencing (link at the end) and classifies these performance issues in the time and cost category. It should be noted, in a positive way, that there is no mention of shortfalls in the performance of the delivered outputs of the projects. Furthermore, as safety is a fundamental element to performance the performance of Network Rail in providing the safest rail network in Europe should be recognised. Time - Milestones (30 missed out of a possible 84)   Cost - Increase debt of 16% in a single year (an increase of £5bn to £37.8bn) Perhaps most worryingly are the major projects, such as the electrification of the Great Western line, which are witnessing massive increases in costs. The Great Western has risen in cost by 50% and it is b

Much has been made in recent months, especially in the run up to the General Election, about the Northern Powerhouse; but what does it really mean?  Following the Scottish Independence Referendum there has been discussion on the devolution of certain fiscal powers to regional authorities in England, most notably Greater Manchester.  Giving certain fiscal powers to local authorities does not create an economic stimulus, merely the opportunity to enjoy increased buying powers.  Furthermore, the identification of Manchester as a lead for this English devolution creates animosity in Yorkshire, the North East, Cumbria and on Merseyside. The creation of locally elected mayors does not generate fiscal stimulus, but it does create additional overhead and expense whilst affording a single point of accountability. The government has published ‘The Northern Powerhouse: One Agenda, One Economy, One North’ the focus is on transport links supporting the city regions.  This provides some detai