Public Accounts committee grills Tim Byles

[sahmeepee]

In case you haven't seen or read it already, here is a transcript of the Public Accounts Committee questioning Tim Byles, head of Partnerships for Schools. It is definitely recommended reading for anyone with an interest in how BSF is going.

Uncorrected Evidence 274

If you want the video version, it's here:

Video Player

The ICT bit only gets going at Q46, but the whole thing is an entertaining read and they don't hold back. Dr Pugh (Lib Dem, Southport) needs some serious congratulations for his input into proceedings.

[Butuz]

This thread and the "BSF Alternative business case" thread has succeeded in making me depressed and slightly angry. We may not be getting it in Wales yet - but we probably will as thats all the assembly seem to do is copy england 5 years late. Guess the future for Educational ICT really is bleak.

Butuz

[joe90bass]

It is entertaining!

Q68 Mr Bacon: Was Mr Byles's predecessor an internal appointment?

Mr Bell: He was Richard Bowker.

Q69 Mr Bacon: The rail man?

Mr Bell: yes.

Q70 Mr Bacon: He went from the Strategic Rail Authority when it was wound up to Partnerships for Schools?

Mr Bell: Yes.

Q71 Mr Bacon: Which genius had that idea?

Mr Bell: It was a properly conducted selection process.

Glad to see they also had a hard time over the IT, though being in Wales and at a brand new PFI school I hope we escape this fiasco......

[Geoff]

I lol'd at that too.

[DMcCoy]

Q92 Dr Pugh: Following on from client side expertise, which is a concern of this Committee and crops up in connection with a number of different inquiries, you are doing deals for managed services with IT suppliers and the like and advising on the same. How many people of those 100 have specialist professional qualifications in IT?

Mr Byles: Seven.

Q93 Dr Pugh: Seven.

Mr Bell: I find myself, Chairman, in the slightly odd position of wanting to defend the honour of consultants.

Q94 Chairman: Well, nobody else will!

Heh, it's quite and interesting read

[apoth0r]

Makes you think why these people are employed so highly in the government. not once do they accept responsibility nor do they seem to even care they've cocked up so many things. All because they were too shy to roll their own sleeves up and do some work. GRRRR

*You won't like me when i'm angry*

[jamesb]

Just gave me some respect for the Public Accounts Committee, to look on the bright side.