Schools Land, Building and Trusts
Capital Funding for VA Schools
From April 2020 LCVAP capital funding for VA schools will be changing. The DFE process has not yet been announced. We are however continuing with a bidding round for 2020/21 capital projects for our VA schools so that appropriate projects are identified ahead of the DFE’s announcement of allocations of the new capital funding stream.
A Capital Premises Development Plan should be completed by all VA schools annually. Completing the form as fully as possible enables the Diocese to programme future projects more efficiently and to maximise the impact of scarce resources.
Section 2 of the Capital Premises Development Plan is where capital bids for funding in 2020/21 should be fully documented.
Section 3 is for documenting the schools 3 year plan of health & safety , maintenance, security and planned maintenance works.
Section 4 is where a school should document any additional projects in 3-5 year timeline that it has identified which are not categorised as maintenance works but which would positively impact on the suitability of a learning environment, increase the sufficiency of learning space (in accordance with BB103 guidelines https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mainstream-schools-area-guidelines) or improve curriculum delivery.
The deadline for submission is 29th November 2019.
Devolved Capital Funding
2019-20 Allocations of DFC for all schools can be found at this link by selecting the appropriate tab on the spreadsheet: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/802708/School_Condition_Allocations_1920_Publication_File__Post-April_Adjustments_Final.xlsx
The governing body of a VA school has a statutory liability to pay 10% on any capital works using LCVAP or DFC funding, this will still apply for the new capital funding from 2020.
General Information
The Diocese schools currently fall into three categories Academies, Voluntary Controlled and Voluntary Aided Schools. These have very distinct differences relating to their buildings but one commonality in regard to the land and buildings. The land and buildings are owned by the diocese generally under ancient trust deeds that have as the original Trustees Vicar and Church Wardens. There are numerous variations however it is helpful to generalise, at the same time as recognising the need to investigate fully the individual sites when required.
The Diocese’ role is to assist schools in safe guarding their assets of both the value of the buildings and land. To this end any alterations, extensions, expansions, and changes to the building generally require the permission of the Diocese. The Diocese particularly assists Voluntary Aided Schools in advising on building development and capital asset planning.
Academies: Land and buildings are held by Diocese and playing fields retained by Local Authority (LA) on a 125 year Lease.
Voluntary Controlled: Land and buildings held by Diocese and playing fields by LA. In 1944 VC Schools came under the LA and therefore they are responsible for maintenance of the buildings.
Voluntary Aided: Land and buildings held by Diocese and playing fields by LA. They remain as voluntary aided and funded schools supported by their local parish and are more independently funded. This gives the school access to different capital funding streams but also liabilities and obligations. Primarily the requirement to pay governors 10% on all capital funded projects including Devolved Formula Capital and Local Authority Co-ordinated Voluntary Aided Programme (LCVAP). They also unlike LA are required to pay VAT.
VA Schools Capital Funding Bid Deadline
29 November 2019
Devolved Formulae Capital (DFC) Voluntary Aided Schools See Document 'Buildings Department Overview September 2014'