Management Information Sheet

All capital expenditure by Local Authority maintained schools (except VA schools), whether from Devolved Formula Capital (DFC) or from school budget share (revenue), requires approval from the Local Authority prior to the start of a project. The DFC application form is available, along with guidance on its completion, via the Norfolk Schools website, www.schools.norfolk.gov.uk, under 'School Administration', 'Finance', 'Capital' or via 'My School', 'Devolved Formula Capital ' in the list of 'Commonly used items'.

Recent audits have highlighted three areas of the process that we need to bring to your attention:

	If schools intend to use revenue funding converted to capital this needs to be approved by the Children's Services Finance Capital Team and will require documented evidence of approval from the school's governing body.
	Although the Capital team endeavour to respond promptly to DFC applications, due consideration needs to be given to applications so please ensure the form is completed well before the project is due to begin.
	Schools must be aware of their procurement and contractual obligations. It is a school's responsibility: (a) to ensure transparency and fairness in the procurement of works, goods and services. (b) to ensure the County Council gets best value from its procurements. (c) to protect those involved in the procurement process.

Please see the Norfolk's Scheme for Financing Schools document, in the School Administration 'Finance' section of the Norfolk Schools website: www.schools.norfolk.gov.uk in particular Annex D "Standing Orders Relating to Contracts". For help and information on contracts please contact Richard Pendlebury (Contract Monitoring Officer) richard.pendlebury@norfolk.gov.uk tel: 01603 222039.

A DFC application form must be completed online and approved by the Capital team prior to the start of a project.