Led by Max Steinberg, chief executive, Liverpool Vision, they will work on a bid for the Government for half of the original allocation and find innovative ways of supplementing it with additional resources. Plans being considered include selling off land and assets to raise funds, and identifying vacant sites around the city which would be suitable for schools.
They will use their wide-reaching links with businesses, employers and schools to pull in private investment and help drive down construction costs, as well as championing the plans for the future of education in Liverpool.
The cross-party task force comprises:
• Chief Executive of Liverpool Vision, Max Steinberg, OBE. Max, who will chair the task force, has more than 30 years working in regeneration in Merseyside, helping to attract hundreds of millions of pounds in Government and private investment. He will use his expertise to drive forward Liverpool’s schools rebuilding plan and secure vital funding.
• Lorraine Dodd, Investment Director at leading Liverpool firm, Rathbone. Lorraine has more than 25 years experience managing investments on behalf of private clients, trusts and charities. She will bring considerable experience to the team in the field of finance and investment, particularly in the area of ethical and socially responsible investment. Rathbone is the oldest company in the city and has been established for over 200 years.
• Director of Partnerships and Innovation at the University of Liverpool, John Flamson. John’s career has seen him work in senior roles in planning, economic regeneration, and public policy. He took up his role at the University in 2008, effectively becoming its ‘public face’, alongside the Vice Chancellor. John will share his expertise around strategic business development and collaborations, political and public affairs issues, private sector engagement and the delivery of knowledge-based services.
Joining them are Cabinet Member for Education and Children’s Services, Councillor Jane Corbett, who will act as joint chair with Max Steinberg; Opposition spokesman Councillor Paul Twigger and the Council’s Director of Children’s Services, Stuart Smith.
Completing the team are Assistant Directors, Tim Warren (Education) and Jayne Hettle (Regeneration) and BSF Project Manager, Ron Rampling.
Council Leader Joe Anderson, who has driven forward the establishment of the task force, said: “The quality, experience and calibre of this team sends out a clear message that we mean business and that we are absolutely committed to securing this vital investment for our schools.
“It will put us in a strong position, not only to continue working with the Government and pushing for every penny we can possibly get, but also to deliver an achievable blueprint for the future of education in Liverpool - and to secure the investment needed to turn it into reality.”
Max Steinberg said: “This BSF Task Force is about action and delivery. We will be working flat-out to get businesses behind Liverpool’s schools rebuilding programme, communicating the importance of building better schools to employers and investors, and securing the cash we need to deliver our plans.
“Our future prosperity rests on the shoulders of our young people, so if we are serious about creating a thriving city and a sustainable economy, it’s vital we invest in our younger generation now.”
Cabinet Member for Education, Councillor Jane Corbett, said: “We have made major progress in improving exam results in recent years but we can do far more if we can get investment to create buildings where young people can get the skills they need – and that employers want. It’s vital that we do not allow the axing of BSF to derail our vision. We can’t stand by wringing our hands. We have to take positive and pro-active steps.
“Our task force is well equipped to drive forward our plans for education in this city. It demonstrates our determination to secure the necessary investment to improve the life chances of every child in the city. And it sends out the right message to our young people – that we value them, that we support them and that we will continue to invest in their future.”
Opposition spokesperson, Councillor Paul Twigger, said: "It is vital that we remain committed to investing in our schools, so that they can continue to deliver the very best teaching and fully meet the needs of our young people.
“This task group is a significant step forward for us to achieve just that, working together in unity to deliver improvements to education in Liverpool.”
The task force will has been officially unveiled today at a meeting of the Liverpool Schools Parliament at the Town Hall. The Schools Parliament has made the Building School for the Future programme a major priority and wrote to education secretary Michael Gove outlining their concerns earlier this year.
Over the coming months, members of the Parliament will have the opportunity to work with the task force and share their views.
