Skills Capital Fund
Round 2 Investment
2016 - 2017
Expression of Interest Application Form
Please complete and submit this Expression of Interest (EOI) application form in accordance with the
Lancashire Enterprise Partnership - EOI guidance in Section 5 of the Prospectus.
The following must be received by 1:00pm on 2nd November 2015.
1. One electronic copy of the signed and completed EOI application form and the following
required supporting information, at the email address below:
 Investment Appraisal for proposed project, Agency template here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sfa-capital-funding-investment-appraisaltemplate
 Financial plan and commentary:
- FE Colleges use - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/financial-planninghandbook
- Non-college training organisations use simplified financial plan and guidance (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sfa-capital-funding-support-for-leps)
 Supporting evidence for any third-party project funding
Please compress files to less than 5Mb. If you have any difficulties sending the email(s) please call
Lisa Moizer on 07825 996447.
2. Also one hard copy of the signed and completed application form and the required
supporting information at the address below:
Lisa Moizer, Skills Hub Coordinator, Lancashire Enterprise Partnership
Lisa.moizer@lancashire.gov.uk
Lancashire College, Southport Road, Chorley, Lancashire. PR7 1NB
Without exception, we will not consider as eligible for the Skills Capital Fund any applicants that fail
to submit both an electronic copy and hard copy of a signed and completed EOI form together with
supporting information in accordance with the submission requirements set out in the Lancashire
Enterprise Partnership Skills Capital Funding prospectus. To be eligible for the Skills Capital Fund,
applicants must submit EOI and supporting information using the correct application forms and
templates which are on the LEP’s website http://www.lancashirelep.co.uk/lep-priorities/skills.aspx
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Section 1: Applicant Contact Information
Name:
Address:
Contact Name and
Job Title:
Contact Telephone:
Contact Email:
Delivery Partners (if
applicable):
NB Explanatory notes, where relevant, are in blue italics
Section 2: Project Details
Title of Project:
maximum 20 words
Total Project Cost:
£[ ]
Amount of Grant:
£[ ]
Project Summary:
Summarise proposed project, including the scope and nature of
development and/or refurbishment works. Note: the LEP may publish
this at a later date.
Percentage [ ] of total project costs
maximum 100 words
Location of Project:
Provide the address of the proposed project, including postcode
Is the project also
located within an
adjoining LEP area?
Yes/No - Delete as applicable
If Yes, state the name of the LEP and summarise the outcome of any
dialogue held with the LEP regarding the proposed project.
maximum 200 words
Has the project
previously been
considered by the
LEP or other funding
bodies?
Yes/No - Delete as applicable
If Yes, state the outcome and any subsequent changes made to the
project.
maximum 250 words
Project Priority (if
submitting more
than one Expression
of Interest):
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Section 3: Benefits to Learners, Employers, and Supporting Economic Growth how the project meets the key priorities of the LEP’s Strategic Economic Plan
http://www.lancashirelep.co.uk/about-us/priorities/lancashire-strategic-economicplan.aspx
Number of
Complete Table 1 below to confirm the number and type of
beneficiaries
beneficiaries that will result from the proposed project.
Table 1: Numbers of beneficiaries
Learner numbers
before project
[1]
Learner Level
L3 &
L4+
below
Pre 16
Learner numbers
after project*
[2]
L3 &
L4+
below
Change in learner
numbers
= [2-1]
L3 &
L4+
below
16-18
19+
16-18
Apprenticeships
Adult (19+)
Apprenticeships
Total
Employment beneficiaries
During Project
As a result of
the project
Total
Jobs created
*Please include narrative to explain the figures in this column.
maximum 100 words
Meeting Individual
and Economic Need
Explain how the project meets the following criteria, see further detail
in the prospectus.
It is important to include quantifiable targets and measures, as
appropriate, to assist with an objective assessment of the application.
Applicants are reminded not to exceed the maximum word limit of
1250 words and to support their case using robust quantifiable and
achievable measures.
The LEP will score this section under five headings:
1. Benefits to Employers
2. Supporting Economic Growth
3. Benefits to Learners
4. Supporting Apprenticeships
5. Added value
maximum 1250 words
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Section 4: Project Need
Explain how the project relates to the skills provider's strategic plan
Project Need:
and/or property strategy.
Specifically for FE Colleges explain how the project relates to their
estate strategy.
Outline what the applicant intends to achieve, including the key
drivers for the project. Make it clear the extent to which the proposed
project will meet need, estate need or otherwise and how it links to
the case for benefits to learners and economic growth.
maximum 250 words
Section 4a: Estate (non-equipment project)
Floor Area Improved/ Private providers should provide a statement to advise the extent of
their estate that is improved/rationalised by the project.
Rationalised by
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Project m :
Only FE Colleges to complete Table 2 and 3 below to show the area
of the entire estate in condition A, B, C and D before and after the
project. Information should be consistent with most recent eMandate
submissions, updated where necessary assuming completion of
successful Enhanced Renewal Grant, College Capital Investment
Fund, College Condition Fund or other projects supported by public
funds. Exclude farm and residential buildings. Quote both area (m2)
and percentage. Building condition information should relate to the
whole college estate as opposed to one campus.
If successful at the EOI stage, applicants providing building condition
data which varies materially from the most recent eMandate
submission, without a robust explanation, will be required to provide
an independent building condition survey to the LEP prior to
submitting a detailed application.
Note Table 2 is designed to reflect the improvement in condition
attributable to the Skills Capital Fund project only. Where estates
condition will be improved by an ongoing current project, this
improvement should be accounted for in the “before project” column
and an explanation provided in the “Floorspace variation” section
below.
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Table 2: Proposed building condition improvement
Floorspace variation
Condition of Estate
BEFORE project (m2
and %)
m2 [1] %
Condition of Estate
AFTER project (m2
and %)
m2 [2] %
Change in condition (m2
and %) of estate as a
result of the project
m2 [2-1] %
A:
A:
A:
B:
B:
B:
C:
C:
C:
D:
D:
D:
Total:
Total:
Total:
Only FE Colleges - The LEP will be supported by the Skills Funding
Agency which will review the floorspace information provided above
and check its consistency against previous eMandate returns and
capital applications.In cases where the data supplied above differs
from that reported in eMandate and/or previous capital applications
submitted to the Agency, the LEP requires clarification and an
explanation of potential floor-space anomalies. Complete Table 3
below to confirm how the ‘before project’ areas and condition
categories are derived for this application.
Table 3: Building Condition Variations
Information
Condition Category GIA (m2)
Source
A
eMandate
reported position
Pre-project
figures reported
in capital
applications to
the Agency
For applicants
with approved
CCIF projects Post project
figures reported
to the Agency
Pre-project
figures reported
for this proposed
project
B
C
D
Total
[]m2
[]m2
[]m2
[]m2
[]m2
[]m2
[]m2
[]m2
[]m2
[]m2
[]m2
[]m2
[]m2
[]m2
[]m2
[]m2
[ ]m2
[]m2
[]m2
[]m2
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Please explain and justify all variations in the current and historically
reported areas and associated condition categories.
Insufficient Space new build
requirement:
Sustainability:
Any significant changes should be supported by surveys undertaken
by independent qualified surveyors.
If the project is a request for additional space please explain the
rationale with reference to existing space utilisation.
maximum 250 words
Provide information regarding the project in regards to the
sustainability agenda in relation to its estate. Make specific
reference to carbon reduction strategy (eg through Carbon
Trust/EcoCampus) and/or achievement of, or work towards
recognised Environmental Management Systems such as
EcoCampus, ISO14001 etc
maximum 250 words
Section 4b: Equipment
Must complete if project is, an Equipment Only project OR has Equipment
Elements
Specialist Equipment Complete Table 4 below, listing all relevant equipment and
to be Purchased and associated installation and work costs where applicable.
Reminder: The LEP require proof of all purchased equipment costs.
Grant Requested
Where equipment includes an element donated by third parties as
part of the applicant's match funding, we also require evidence of the
value attributed to this equipment. The LEP is unable to pay capital
grant for items where there is no appropriate proof of the cost.
Table 4: Equipment List and Costs
Description – Including Quantity
name and model of
(a)
equipment
Item Cost
(including VAT if
applicable (b))
£
Total Cost
(including VAT if
applicable (c)
(c = a x b) £)
1.Total Purchase Price of all Equipment
Description of associated installation and work
costs – if applicable
Associated installation
and work costs £
2.Total Cost of installation and work costs
Total Grant Support (1+2)
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Use of Equipment
Provide a short simple and non-technical description explaining the
specialist nature of the equipment and costs, listed above.
maximum 500 words
Section 5: Financial Assessment
Investment Appraisal Applicants must accompany their EOI with an investment appraisal
for their preferred option and a base case (do the minimum) option.
and Running Costs:
Applicants should use the latest version of the Skills Funding
Agency’s investment appraisal model (Excel format
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sfa-capital-fundinginvestment-appraisal-template) for this process, including
assumptions and supporting guidance notes.
Complete Table 5 below to show the cost and net present value
(NPV) of each option.
Table 5: Comparison of Options
Option
Cost (£000)
NPV (£000)
Proposed project
Base case
The investment appraisals should include estimates of any premises
costs and operating savings arising from the project over a 20-year
period.
Complete Table 6 below to show the estimated premises costs and
savings over a 20-year period for the proposed project:
Table 6: Premises costs and savings
Proposed Project
Base Case
Savings/Cost (£000)
Savings/Cost (£000)
Premises costs [1]
£[]
£[]
Premises savings [2]
£[]
£[]
Difference [1-2]
£[]
£[]
If the costs exceed the savings by more than 5 per cent of the total
project cost then explain how the project will enable the applicant to
reduce its overall premises costs per square metre over the
investment period; or in exceptional cases, for example where the
applicant proposes to build additional space to accommodate new
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provision, why the project is unable to contribute to lower premises
costs (£/m2).
maximum 100 words
Project Funding/
Finance:
All applicants must provide a financial plan, using the following:
FE Colleges use https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/financial-planninghandbook
Non-college training organisations use simplified financial plan and
guidance - (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sfa-capitalfunding-support-for-leps)
We expect applicants to maximise disposal proceeds and this may
be after September 2017. The financial plan should be for at least
two years after project completion. Applicants should provide
supporting evidence for any third-party project funding, including loan
finance, disposal proceeds and other public sector grants.
Project
Funding/Finance and
Spend Profile:
Complete Table 7 below to show how the applicant plans to
fund/finance the project, and show the profiled expenditure by
quarter. Applicants should base figures on the anticipated
expenditure profile.
Additional comments: for example, if disposal proceeds are to be
used, please explain current status of disposal.
PLEASE NOTE:
maximum 200 words
For successful applicants the expenditure profile in Table 7 will
be used to determine grant payments profiles in the Skills
Provider's Grant Funding Agreement.
Table 7: Funding/Financing of Proposed Project and Expenditure Profile
2016-17 (Forecast)
2017-18 (Forecast)
Project
Capital
Costs
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
funding/financing
costs
as a % (Apr (Jul (Oct (Jan (Apr (Jul (Oct (Jan
overall of total
(£000)
funding Jun) Sep) Dec) Mar) Jun) Sep) Dec) Mar)
LEP Skills Capital
£[]
funding
Project Applicant (cash
£[]
reserves)
Private sector
£[]
Loan finance
£[]
Disposal proceeds
£[]
Other public sector
£[]
grants
Other funding (please
£[]
specify)
Total
£[]
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Affordability:
Only applicable for FE and is not scored. Based on the applicant’s
financial plan, which includes the project, confirm the applicant’s
financial health grade in:




Financial Viability
and Risk
Management Plan:
2013/14
2014/15
2015/16
2016/17
[Outstanding/Good/Satisfactory/Inadequate]
[Outstanding/Good/Satisfactory/Inadequate]
[Outstanding/Good/Satisfactory/Inadequate]
[Outstanding/Good/Satisfactory/Inadequate]
Skills providers will need to demonstrate they will be financially
viable after taking account of their contribution to the project,
including any associated borrowings.
Applicants will be required to provide a risk management plan where
the project cost exceeds £1 million or 25 per cent of turnover, or a
college’s financial health calculated or Agency assessed grade is
‘Inadequate’ at the application date.
Section 6: Indicative Programme for Completion
Project Management Provide an outline of project management arrangements.
Arrangements:
maximum 100 words
For successful applicants the information in Table 8 and Table 9
PLEASE NOTE:
below will be used to form the Skills Provider's Grant Funding
Agreement.
Key Milestones and
Timings:
Complete Table 8 below to show the key milestones and
timings of the project relating to key aspects of the project
(planning, procurement, contract award, project completion, and
acquisition/disposal).
Table 8: Key Milestones and Timings
Milestone Description
Target Contract Date
Complete Table 9 below to show the project metrics, outputs and outcomes.
Core - should include the core priorities of the LEP, e.g. jobs, commercial floor space, housing
units, skills, increase in number of students, number of apprenticeships etc.
Project specific - should include outputs connected to the project i.e. jobs connected to the
project, new learning floor space, refurbished learning floor space, any private investment the
project brings to site long term.
Additional monitoring - could include any outputs and outcomes that are in addition to the
above, for example, targets or outcomes associated with the Social Value Act.
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Table 9: Metrics, Outputs and Outcomes
2015/16
Target
2016/17
Target
2017/18
Target
2018/19
Target
2019/20
Target
2020/21
Target
Additional
Monitoring
Project
Specific
Core
Metrics, Outputs and Outcomes
Section 7: Risk
Risk and Mitigation:
Highlight potentials risks to the project (such as risks relating to
funding, programme, costs, value for money, site acquisition/
disposal and procurement). Identify the likelihood and impact of
each risk. Identify risk mitigation measures.
maximum 200 words
Section 8: State Aid
State Aid:
All non-FE Colleges must provide information/a statement to enable
the LEP to make an assessment as to whether capital funding
payable under this scheme could amount to unlawful State Aid. All
non-FE colleges successful at Detailed Application stage will be
required to complete and return a State Aid Deed to the LEP.
maximum 200 words
Section 9: Declaration
I certify that the information provided in this Detailed Application is
Declaration:
complete and correct.
This project has not received any other public capital funds.
Signature:
(Chief Executive, or
equivalent)
Print Name:
Date:
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