Summer has been really busy for us with many schools having work done over the holiday period. We hope that these projects have gone well and that you have returned to a better working environment.
Funding
Next year funding is likely to change again. We understand that Devolved Formula Capital could be sent directly to schools. We are unclear at the moment about the administration that will be required, or the audit process for these monies. The Building Officer’s Conference will give us more information and this takes place at the end of September. We will be in touch with all our Aided Schools after this time.
Schools that have started projects recently have received a letter from us to be signed by the chair of Governors and the Headteacher agreeing the 10% funding from the school budget and also agreeing to pay any sums that arise over the approved cost.
This is being done because there appears to be a misconception in some schools that the diocese has a fund of money for school projects. The reality is that the diocese is currently owed many thousands of pounds from schools who have either not paid their 10% share, or the costs above the contract ceiling of a project.
These monies are gradually being requested from schools, sometimes long after the project has finished. In some schools both the Head and Chair of Governors have changed and these invoices are therefore unexpected and unwelcome. We are sorry that this is the case but the diocese in good faith paid out this money and the schools have benefited from the project work done. We are only able to do this now because we have extra manpower to catch up with this work.
Facilities Management
We have been in talks with companies that deal in Facilities Management. For an annual fee a school can sign up for their services and the company would then survey your school, and give full support to cover all aspects of the building. They are at the end of a manned phone on a help desk and respond to all calls/emergencies.
We would like to hear from any school that is interested in taking this further. Please contact us by email liz.manson@oxford.anglican.org and we will arrange a meeting with the schools and the facilities management team.
We look forward to hearing from you and visiting your schools this term.
If you have any queries, or need advice, please contact the team:
Gordon Joyner, (Assistant Director) Premises, please contact via Liz Manson.
Liz Harrison, Schools Premises Officer, Tel 01865 208276
Liz Manson, Premises Assistant and Gordon's PA, Tel 01865 208239
