We recently reported about the success of the latest round of CIF funding. Lea Hough are delighted to have achieved CIF funding approval for a record number of projects at academy schools, with the total amount of funding secured also being higher than in previous years.
Although the CIF is an invaluable opportunity for Academies and Sixth-Form Colleges to apply for funding for large-scale projects to repair and improve their school buildings, the funding is somewhat restricted by its timescales. For example, for projects to be eligible, they must have a minimum project value (£20,000 for primary schools and £50,000 for secondary schools and sixth form colleges) and applications can only be submitted in the winter (the last day for submissions usually falls in December), with funding approvals announced the following April.
For any projects that require urgent attention either outside of these timescales or criteria, there is an alternative funding route in the form of Urgent Capital Support (UCS) funding.
Lea Hough recently secured funding via this UCS route for urgent Health & Safety Works at an academy school near Burnley. There was a dangerous ceiling and a dangerous floor to an assembly hall and funding was granted to carry out all of the emergency repair works. The bid for this funding was submitted totally separately to CIF.
The idea of Urgent Capital Support (UCS) funding is for eligible schools to gain access to money for projects that can’t wait until the next CIF funding round. Lea Hough’s team of school building consultants are able to conduct a site visit, advising on whether or not the condition issues at hand may be eligible for emergency funding. Should a project be deemed eligible, we will take control from there – manging the entire process of preparing and submitting an application. Due to our experience in making applications to the ESFA, we are familiar with the level of detail needed for projects to be approved, and can therefore submit bids with confidence.
For more information on Urgent Capital Support (UCS) funding, or to speak to one of our school building consultants, get in touch with us by calling 01254 260 196 or completing an online enquiry.
