The 'Ensuring buildings work for you - not against you' seminars organised by the University of the West of England and sponsored by Bristol based property service specialists, Ian Williams, got underway this month. The seminar which took place at the Gloucestershire County Cricket Club, attracted 47 attendees. Delegates including head-teachers and bursars from primary, secondary and higher education across the region spent the day in a series of lectures from both the public and private sector.

The seminar's objectives were to emphasise the benefits of long-term partnering agreements and advise on best practice for building maintenance within an educational environment.

The Government has committed significant funding for the improvement of education facilities including the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) initiative.

The Government has also allocated GBP2.2bn per year to rebuild and renew every secondary school in England.

In recent years schools have gained greater autonomy in many areas including construction, maintenance and refurbishment.

However greater power has come at a cost and as a result the following issues are now widely acknowledged within the sector:.

* Schools largely manage their budgets and manage maintenance locally as a consequence of government devolution.

* Schools need support from both the LEAs and private sector to ensure that they meet current legislative requirements.

* Those responsible for maintenance and capital projects are becoming increasingly dependent upon external advice.

Providing guidance and advice on such issues is why Ian Williams took the opportunity to run such seminars.

Sponsoring the event provided Ian Williams with an opportunity to learn from the delegates on how they felt about the implications of devolvement and its long-term effects.

These findings will form part of an unprecedented research document, providing statistics and opinions from those working in the education sector.

Initial findings from the day indicate:.

* The quality of buildings directly impacts upon educational performance.

* Management of buildings is becoming increasingly challenging for teachers, bursars and property managers.

* The cost of maintenance is difficult to benchmark between schools.

* The use of Asset Maintenance Plans is variable.

* The private sector can assist schools to reduce costs whilst at the same time help to improve the educational experiences that students receive.

* The education sector is willing to work with the private sector but it is difficult to find organisations that have the experience and competence to manage educational facilities on behalf of the teachers and staff.

Commenting on the day's success Mike Turner said: 'Today is the first of our education premises seminars and it has been beneficial to both Ian Williams and the delegates.

We are keen to help clarify some of the complex issues surrounding schools and colleges and provide advice and guidance on engagement with the private sector.

I am delighted with today's feedback and encouraged by the willingness of delegates to consider collaboration as a way of meeting long-term objectives.

We have also been invited to attend a number of schools to talk through our ideas in more detail.'