Bryan Slater

Director of Education

Distribution

All Schools, Special Schools and PRUs

 

This document needs your action as detailed below:

ACTION

Title

NCC Local Seed Challenge 2004-05

Summary of contents

Details on new seed challenge funding for 2004-05 and application forms

Associated documents

Further information available on Esinet www.norfolkesinet.org.uk  Click on

NCC Home > Education Home > School Management & Governance > Managers and Administrators > School Buildings > Seed Challenge Funding (NCC Local Scheme)

 

Date

Friday 14 May 2004

Summary of action required

Schools to consider the attached guidance and make applications as appropriate

 

To be completed by

Friday 11 June 2004

LEA Contact

Sheila Smith

(

01603 222503

E-mail address

sheila.a.smith@norfolk.gov.uk

 

Norfolk Self Review reference

8. How well does the school use its resources?

 

Document reference

MI 101/04

 

 

 

Guidance Notes

 

Introduction

 

Schools were informed last year of the DfES announcement that the national Seed Challenge scheme would not be continued beyond the financial year 2004/05.

However, in view of the popularity of the funding scheme and the benefits it has

brought to schools, County Council members have approved the introduction of a similar, local scheme for 2004/05.  £800,000 has been allocated from the central capital programme to support the scheme, for which the terms and conditions are set out below.  Schools should note that there is no guarantee that the scheme will continue in future years.

 

Terms and Conditions   

 

The local scheme will operate on the DfES principal that new money should be secured to maximise investment in school buildings.  The level of “new” money needed will be as follows:

 

Primary Sector, Special Schools and PRUs

 

Up to 50% of the cost of a project can be bid for from Seed Challenge.  The balance of funding must be found by the school, 75% of which must be “new” money.

 

Secondary Schools:

 

Up to 33% of the cost of the project can be bid for from Seed Challenge.  The balance of funding must be found by the school, 75% of which must be “new” money.

 

NB:  The “new” money element will not be mandatory in the following circumstances:

 

·        Where schools are in special measures or have serious weaknesses

·        Where the number on role is less than 75 for a primary school

 

In view of the limited amount of available capital, the maximum allocation from the Seed Challenge budget for any one project will be £75,000.  This will enable primary school projects of up to £150,000 and secondary school projects of up to £227,000 to be achieved if sufficient new money is available.  Larger scale project proposals can be submitted, providing the extra resources needed can be found by the school.  However, the Seed Challenge grant element will not exceed the amount stated above.

 

Primary and Special Schools Project Example

 

Total Project Cost:                                                                £80,000

Seed Challenge:                                                                   £40,000

“New” money:                                                                        £30,000

Balance (which could come from DFC):                            £10,000

 

Secondary School Project Example

 

Total Project Cost:                                                                £227,273

 

Seed Challenge:                                                                   £75,000

“New” money:                                                                        £114,205

Balance (which could come from DFC):                            £38,068

 

Definition of “New Money”

 

In the context of the NCC local scheme, ‘new money’ can include:

 

·        Private Sector Sponsorship

·        DfES specialist school funding

·        General fund-raising, including donations from parents’ groups

·        Sale of land or other assets (subject to County Council approval in most cases)

·        Charitable or other similar donations

·        Grants from National Lottery or other agencies, like Sport England

·        Receipts from insurance claims

·        Profits on income from lettings or other school activities

 

NB:  Devolved Formula Capital will not count as ‘new money’ but can be used as part of the school contribution to make up the balance of funding needed.

 

Bidding process

 

To ensure the funding will help to tackle county priorities, bids of up to £75,000 are invited for projects only in the following categories:

 

·        To reduce/remove/replace temporary classrooms

·        To maximise/extend approved LEA/DfES projects (e.g. specialist status work)

·        To address high priority condition issues, supported by AMP evidence

·        To provide extended school facilities

 

NB:  Proposals to purchase temporary accommodation will not be considered.

 

Separate application forms are enclosed which match the four eligible criteria.  Please use the form that fits your proposal most closely. 

 

You should note that Seed Challenge allocations are final and will not be topped up at a later stage.  Careful planning and budgeting by the school are therefore essential.

 

Closing date

 

Bids must be received by Friday 11 June 2004 at the latest, in hard copy by post. Please remember to enclose any required additional information in support of your bid (see details on each form).  You should assume that any bids received after that date will not be considered.

 

 

 

Evaluation of Bids

 

All bids will be evaluated by officers in the Planning & Buildings Team in the first instance, to confirm that the basic eligibility requirements (listed below) are met:

 

·        Does the project fit one or more of the four eligible categories?

·        Has the correct proportion of new money been secured (where required)?

·        Do the proposals conflict with any current or future plans for the school?

·        Are the proposals realistic and affordable?

 

All bids which meet the basic eligibility criteria will progress to the second stage and will be grouped into the four categories & scored in accordance with pre-defined, objective criteria.  These can be viewed on Esinet by going to www.norfolkesinet.org.uk and then selecting:-

 

School Management and Governance > Managers and Administrators > School Buildings > Seed Challenge Funding

 

Schools will be informed of the outcome of the bidding process by 2 July 2004.

 

Procurement

 

All schemes with a total value of more that £100,00 will be procured through the County Council partnering framework, although the school rather than the LEA will act as the direct client. Further details will be provided in due course to those schools concerned.  For proposed schemes of a total value less than £100,000, schools can opt to use any properly qualified and indemnified consultant to design, manage and deliver the scheme.  All works must be formally tendered in accordance with County Council Standing Orders and the appointed contractor must comply with current statutory regulations and requirements, including public liability insurance cover of at least £5M.  The cost of any professional and statutory fees should be built into the estimates for the project and hence the bid for Seed Challenge funding.  Further advice on planning a project is available on Esinet at www.norfolkesinet.org.uk and then by selecting:-

 

School Management and Governance > Managers and Administrators > School Buildings > Managing Premises Issues > Managing Construction Work

 

Timing of Spend

 

Where a school is successful in a bid for seed challenge funding, the project must be completed and the money spent by 31 August 2005.  If sufficient progress has not been made by the end of the autumn term 2004, the department reserves the right to withdraw the funding and allocate it to a different project.

 

LEA Contact

Any initial queries should be directed to Sheila Smith, Education Planning & Buildings on 01603 222503, or by e-mail to sheila.a.smith@norfolk.gov.uk