Capital Funding for
Academies
Mark Hayward – EFA Capital Division
CPC Conference
May 2014
Purpose
 Raising your awareness of key issues
 Importance of strategic planning and understanding
risk
 Arrangements for Round 2 - 2014 to 2015
Context
 Significantly reduced capital investment budget for
DfE – sharper focus on funding priorities
 Increasing numbers of converter academies –
highly competitive environment
Academies Capital Maintenance Fund
 Established in 2011
 Ministerial focus on tackling building condition
issues
 Expanding, popular and successful academies
Academies Capital Maintenance Fund
£276m
2012-13
£392m
2013-14
£463m
2014-15
£85m
2011-12
Almost 2000 academies funded to date
ACMF 2014 to 2015
 Round 1 ACMF 2014 to 2015
– 2015 academies, 3300 projects, requesting £1.4 billion
– Allocations of £394 million to 1,134 academies for 1,388
projects
 Round 2 ACMF 2014 to 2015 – for 1 building condition project
only at:
– academies that open from 2 December 2013 to 1 June 2014
that did not apply in Round 1
or
– schools with a signed academy order at 1 June 2014 that did
not apply in Round 1
Boiler and Heating system projects
 A new approach in partnership with Salix Finance
 Using interest free loans to support a sustainable way of
funding boiler and heating system projects
 Energy savings cover the repayments
 Frees up future funds for other works
 Moving from reactive to preventative maintenance
 260 applications worth almost £75 million – funded 190
schemes worth almost £50 million
 Considering how we can extend the principle for other
types of project in the future
What makes a good ACMF bid
 Clarity – if you can’t meet the word limit, perhaps the
project needs further thought
 Evidence that matches the stated priorities – we get
too many bids for desirable projects
 Sensible costing – a scope of works that’s appropriate
together with quotes
What makes a good ACMF bid
 A good project plan – an understanding of how works
will be phased (particularly during term time) and of key
risks
 Proportionate options appraisal – so we understand
your thinking
 “Before you apply” – section in the guidance
Strategic Estate Planning
 Why?
– Support and deliver the school’s vision
– Understand (and manage) legal responsibilities
– More cost effective than crisis management
– Good governance
 Why not?
– Too difficult
– Perception that requires costly consultant support
– Other priorities
What a good strategic plan might look like
Defined Projects
Quick Wins
Risks
Options Appraisals
Solid Evidence Base
Clear Priorities
Opportunities for Partnership
Managing an ACMF project
 Prepare well
– Getting the right advice, early
– Identify the right procurement process for you
• One off project? Phased development?
 Understand and manage risks
– Importance of contingency and continuous value
engineering
Managing an ACMF project
 Aim to be a good client
– Have a team in place to oversee, challenge and
support
– Governance arrangements
 Manage your stakeholders
– Staff, pupils, parents, neighbours, EFA
The risk is yours, the responsibility is yours, but the rewards
are yours too!
Proposed Timetable for Round 2 ACMF 2014 to 2015
Action
Date
Guidance available on website
Mid May 2014
Online application portal opens
By 13 June 2014
Recommended target date for
submitting applications
16 July 2014
Deadline for submitting applications 21 July 2014 at 3pm
Target date for notifying successful
projects
Mid October 2014