Schools Building Projects
School Buildings Projects
The Board of Education has set up 'Building NEEDS' to provide advice and support to school governing bodies on all aspects of capital works.
Building NEEDS is part of North East Education Development Services' or 'NEEDS', which is an arms length trading company owned jointly by Durham Diocesan Board of Finance and Newcastle Diocesan Education Board. It provides a vehicle for resourcing assistance to schools in both Dioceses.
Building NEEDS supports schools in setting up and managing capital projects, and administering grants and contract finances. It can also provide design and contract administration for minor works schemes, and support schools in developing and reviewing asset management plans.
Building NEEDS charges fees for this assistance as a consultant to the governing body. Income is then used to pay operating costs, with any profits from the trading company being used to support schools, free of tax liability. This income will be used to sustain current support to schools and, it is hoped, also provide additional support.
For more information contact Mark Thompson on 0191 374 6027
DFC (Devolved Formula Capital)
DFC grant is available to all VA schools. It is grant aided at 90% so there is a 10% Governors’ capital liability. The Diocesan Schools Admin Officer, Mrs Eileen Bell, processes all invoices and completes all administrative forms and reconciliation to the DCSF on behalf of Governing Bodies. DFC can be rolled forward but it must be spent within three years from when it is allocated. DFC can support all types of capital work as long as it is governing body responsibility. There is a minimum project cost of £2000 but no maximum project cost. DFC can be used to provide ICT equipment.
LCVAP (Local Authority Co-ordinated Voluntary Aided Programme)
This funding is administered by Local Authorities. There is a minimum project cost of £2000 but no limit on the size of project that can be supported. LCVAP funding is for all aided schools and our Diocese has annual discussions with the Roman Catholic Diocese on the allocation of projects. LCVAP funding must be spent in the year it is allocated. If not, it becomes a commitment in the following year and will be lost if it is not allocated to an approved project. LCVAP is grant aided at 90% so there is a 10% Governors’ capital liability.
LCVAP and DFC Procedures
All capital building works (over £2000) in voluntary aided Church of England schools must be approved by the Diocesan Education Board. This is one of the provisions of the Boards of Education Measure 1991 (as amended).
Flow charts outlining the procedures which apply to all projects, whether DFC only or DFC and LCVAP are given below. If you are considering such works please liaise with our Diocesan Schools Admin Officer: Mrs Eileen Bell (Tel: 0191 2704141) or email e.bell@newcastle.anglican.org
Devolved Formula Capital Process (small projects)
Devolved Formula Capital Procurement (small projects)
LCVAP Process
LCVAP Procurement (large projects)
Deadlines for the 2009-10 Financial Year
For guaranteed payment of claims in the financial year – Monday 1st March 2010
More information within this section