High cost of malicious damage in PPP schools

A report for Labour councillors on the local authority’s Education Executive has revealed the average cost of malicious damage in Public Private Partnership (PPP) schools is almost double the figure for non-PPP schools.

The report, compiled by Ms Carol Kirk, Corporate Director (Education & Skills), records the cost of dealing with malicious damage in three PPP secondary schools averages out at £6,285, while the figure in the district’s six non-PPP secondary schools is £3,516.  The PPP figure relates to damage caused only during ‘core hours’ – deemed to be between 8:00am and 10:00pm – but the non-PPP total relates to damage caused at any time, including during the night.

North Ayrshire Council’s Labour administration built four schools using the discredited PPP method of finance, finally signing a £380m contract for buildings with a capital value of just £80m.  The one non-secondary school built under the PPP contract – Stanley Primary in Ardrossan – is recorded in Ms Kirk’s report as having no malicious damage.  In the other three PPP schools – St Matthews Academy in Saltcoats, Arran High School, and Greenwood Academy in Dreghorn – the Corporate Director explains, “The general rule of thumb is that NAC will be held liable for all malicious damage occurring within ’core hours’ and that the [maintenance] Contractor will be liable for all malicious damage occurring outwith these times.”

The figures listed above relate to malicious damage costs met by North Ayrshire Council.

Ms Kirk told councillors that a Working Group had been established to examine issues related to malicious damage.  The Group consisted of senior Council officials and Headteachers of local schools, including St Matthews Academy and Ardrossan Academy.  Advice was also taken from the local authority’s Legal Services department, Anti-Social Behaviour officers and Strathclyde Police.  According to Ms Kirk’s report, in discussions with the police, it was clarified that, “where there is a sufficient ‘burden of proof’ individuals could be charged from the age of 8 years old for acts of malicious damage to school property.”

Labour councillors agreed that, with effect from April 2012, Headteachers should be provided with a detailed monthly report concerning vandalism at their school.  Ms Kirk argued “This greater knowledge, allied to the continued investment in security systems at school premises and with appropriate dissemination of the information, will foster a culture of increased awareness and accountability for acts of malicious damage to school property.”

The Corporate Director concluded, “In instances where the culprits are known and sufficient proof is available arrangements should be put in place to ensure that the culprits accept responsibility for their actions and are involved in restorative activities.
“Education & Skills staff will continue to monitor the costs associated with malicious damage across the whole school estate, and should the observed costs escalate disproportionately, consideration will be given to adopting further measures.”