1. Capital Funding Update Jo Thomas Deputy Director, Central Capital Unit, DfE EBDOG National Conference 11th May 2012

2. The Story so far Significant investment in Basic Need in 11-12 and 12-13 – total £2.7bn. We know there are still pressures.... We need to address buildings in poor condition. PSBP will begin to do that and the property data survey will give us consistent data on the condition of the whole estate. James Review helped us to think about being more efficient in how we use money. Response not published yet but we are getting on with work around new buildings regulations and standardised designs. Mike Green’s appointment as EFA Head of Capital offers excellent opportunity to focus on increasing our efficiency.

3. The Basic Need issue Rising primary pupil numbers – especially in urban areas. Significant pressures in London. 2012-13 annual allocations (£800m) announced on 13 December. £600m additional funding announced on 11 April. Need to get better understanding of how that funding is addressing the problem. Improving data collection for SCAP 12 by building on the February data collection trial – data collection by planning area. Want to continue productive dialogue about best way of allocating funding.

4. Priority School Building Programme Intended to address schools in England that are in the worst condition through private finance. Expect to rebuild between 100-300 schools depending on mix of successful schools. Investment must be targeted where it is most needed - hence checking all applications, including making site visits. 5 year programme with first schools expected to open in 2014. Central Procurement.

5. The James Review A review of all education capital was launched in July 2010, chaired by Sebastian James – Group Operations Director at Dixons Retail. The Capital Review was launched after Ministers ended the BSF programme which was unaffordable in the current fiscal climate, and importantly, because it was slow, bureaucratic and poor value for money. The Capital Review remit: Review all aspects of DfE capital investment and develop recommendations for a new approach to capital allocation, design and procurement, build and maintenance. The review involved a series of workshops and a ‘call for evidence’ which garnered over 500 responses

6. Capital Review Government’s Initial Response Initial response on 19 July - Secretary of State broadly accepted Sebastian James’s recommendations, subject to consultation (closed 11 October) Areas where Ministers agreed to move forward more quickly and work is underway include: –Property Data Survey –Development of standardised designs (work on scope and links with development of approach to procurement) –Consultation on reducing bureaucracy surrounding premises regulations. Consultation ran 3 Nov - 26 January.

7. Standardised Designs Ministers’ response to Capital Review on 19 th July 2011: –“I am also keen to move forward more quickly on some of the other recommendations. I wish to develop a suite of standardised drawings and specifications for school buildings.” EFA is developing a set of baseline designs - standard plans for some of the more common school building types: e.g. 1 and 2 FE primary, secondary school teaching block etc. Plans reflect current funding allocations for Academies and Free Schools – i.e. a reduction of 5% for primary and 15% for secondary – and revised standard specification. Plans will be used to inform design briefs for Priority Schools Building Programme (PSBP).

8. Standards for School Premises Consultation November – January 2012 Aim is to reduce guidance and remove unnecessary and bureaucratic regulation –some regulations duplicated in other pieces of legislation –Others (e.g. furniture and fittings, storage facilities etc.) too bureaucratic and burdensome Initial analysis –Around 175 responses –Good mix of organisations responding –School responses more favourable to reductions / simplifications than those from LAs / technical professionals Next steps –Continuing analysis of responses –Recommendations with Ministers

9. Capital Review – Next Steps Detailed analysis/options appraisal still being considered by Ministers. Capital Policy that is influenced by the Review with the principles accepted.

10. CCU / EFA Significant change this year is transfer of PfS and YPLA to the new Education Funding Agency (EFA) – an executive agency of the DfE Successful transfer was completed on April 1 st CCU responsible for policy EFA responsible for delivery All part of DfE

11. Contact jo.thomas@education.gsi.gov.uk