i-FM: The online resource for facilities professionals

Local Partnerships is a joint venture between the Local Government Association and Partnerships UK (although PUK’s interest is due to transfer to HM Treasury). Local Partnerships’ mission is to give trusted, professional support to local public bodies to improve their ability to source and deliver high quality, cost-effective public services and infrastructure. Local Partnerships provide gateway reviews for all major projects, asset management reviews, skills development training, advice and support for projects. The website contains a project database and publications such as guidelines and procurement packs for buyers.

The Partnerships Bulletin is a monthly subscription-based magazine and website providing in-depth updates on partnership working between the public and private sector, including the private finance initiative (PFI), public private partnerships (PPPs) and newer models, such as asset-backed regeneration vehicles. The website provides news and feature articles as well as an up-to-date project tracker. The majority of information is only available to subscribers.

Partnerships UK was set up in 2000 to succeed the UK Government’s Treasury Taskforce and establish a permanent centre of excellence for PFI projects. PUK is itself a public private partnership (PPP). It has an arm’s length relationship with HM Treasury, operational independence, and 51% private sector equity ownership - with the balance owned by HM Treasury and the Scottish Executive. The website contains advice and guidance on a variety of PFI-related activities. The site also includes a full projects database consisting of 920 PFI schemes as of 2010.