MINISTER WELCOMES PROGRESS TOWARDS OPENING OF NEW PFI MAGISTRATES' COURT IN MANCHESTER

30 Mar 2001 12:00 AM

A new magistrates'' court is to be built in Manchester City Centre as a result of a contract awarded to CG4SC consortium by Manchester City Council under the Government''s private finance initiative (PFI).

This scheme, with a capital value of #30 million, is one of a programme of thirteen PFIs being sponsored by the Government to build and refurbish magistrates'' courts all over England and Wales. It is the third contract to be signed following the ''pathfinder'' scheme for Hereford and Worcester Magistrates'' Courts Committee.

Jane Kennedy, Minister at the Lord Chancellor''s Department welcomed this progress:

''I am delighted that the contract to build new magistrates'' courts in Manchester has been signed. This scheme demonstrates the contribution PFI can make to improving standards of service, while allowing Manchester Magistrates'' Courts Committee to continue to operate the courts.

''The new courthouse in Manchester will provide the improved, modern facilities expected by victims of crime, witnesses, the professions and other people who use the courts. The new building, expected to open early in 2004, will ensure proper access for disabled people, provide separate waiting rooms for victims of crime and defendants and improve security. A dedicated Coroner''s Court will also be provided within the building.''

Notes for Editors:

1. Magistrates'' Courts'' Committees, comprising of local magistrates, have a statutory responsibility for the efficient and effective administration of the magistrates'' courts in their area. Magistrates'' courts are owned or leased by the paying authority (generally the local authority) on behalf of the magistrates'' courts service. They are not Crown property.

2. The Lord Chancellor''s Department has issued a promissory note for notional credit approval for approximately #42 million to Manchester City Council. The Government has made available a minimum of #3 billion worth of PFI Credits over the period if 1997/98--2001/2, of which #210 million have been allocated to the Lord Chancellor''s Department. The same amount has also been allocated to the Department for the period 2001/2-2003/4. For further information about the Government''s PFI contact DETR press office: 020 7890 3042 or look at their website: http:www.detr.gov.uk/ppp/2htm

3. CG4SC is a consortium comprising, as equal partners, Carillion, Group 4 Flack and Societe Generale.

4. Advisers to the project are: Pricewaterhouse Coopers (lead/financial), Denton Wilde Sapte (legal) and Rainey Petrie Johns (technical).

5. Press contact at Manchester City Council is Roz Huges/Rebecca Kennedy tel: 0161 234 3332. www.manchester.gov.uk

6. The other twelve magistrates'' courts PFIs being supported by LCD are: Phase 1

Hereford and Worcester Magistrates'' Courts (this is the ''pathfinder'' scheme which acts as a precedent for the others) '' provision of new and refurbished serviced courthouses in Kidderminster, Hereford, Worcester and Redditch see LCD press release 72/00 for further information.

Humberside Magistrates'' Courts '' provision of new serviced courthouses in Beverley, Bridlington and Hull. See LCD press release 109/00 for further information

Derbyshire Magistrates'' Courts '' provision of new or refurbished serviced courthouses in Derbyshire

Merseyside Magistrates'' Courts '' provision of serviced courthouse accommodation in the Merseyside area

Phase 2

Avon & Somerset Magistrates'' Courts '' provision of courthouse accommodation in the Avon & Somerset area

Bedfordshire Magistrates'' Court '' provision of new or refurbished serviced courthouse accommodation in Bedfordshire

Bolton Magistrates'' Courts '' provision of serviced courthouse accommodation in Bolton

West Midlands Magistrates'' Courts '' provision of serviced courthouse accommodation across the West Midlands

Phase 3

Gloucestershire Magistrates'' Courts '' provision of new or refurbished serviced courthouse accommodation in Gloucestershire. New Projects

Ministerial approval has recently been given to pursue projects in Cheshire, Essex and Gwent.