EFA e-bulletin for academies: 14 August 2014
Published 14 August 2014
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1. Information: Academies Financial Handbook published
Education Funding Agency (EFA) has published the 2014 edition of the Academies Financial Handbook, which comes into effect on 1 September 2014. The changes are set out on pages 5 to 8 of the handbook. We will shortly also publish a narrated presentation about the changes.
2. Action: new academy trusts to submit online budget forecast returns
For trusts opening on or after 1 April 2014, the deadline to submit budget forecast return is either 6 weeks from receiving their funding letter or 31 July 2014, depending which is later.
From August 2014, academy trusts must submit their budget forecast using the new online form. It provides better quality information than the Excel form, as EFA has built some checks into the form, which will lead to fewer queries for academies when we validate your budget forecasts.
3. Action: value for money statement published
EFA has published the value for money statement and guide for academy trusts for the year ended 31 August 2014.
Trusts should submit their completed statements to EFA by 31 December 2014. EFA will announce the submission method in the autumn.
4. Information: 16 to 19 funding guidance
The final element of the funding guidance for 2014 to 2015, on funding returns and reconciliation will be published week commencing 18 August.
EFA has published the 16 to 19 funding regulations and funding rates and formula guidance documents for 2014 to 2015. There is very little change from all the equivalent documents for 2013 to 2014.
These documents complement the sub-contracting controls guidance, published earlier this year.
5. Information: 16 to 19 Bursary Fund vulnerable students funding claim form for 2014 to 2015
The 16 to 19 Bursary Fund vulnerable students 2014 to 2015 funding claim form is now available on GOV.UK.
Institutions should ensure they read the guidance included within the form before completing and submitting a claim.
The funding claim form must only be used to request funds for students who have enrolled with the institution for the 2014 to 2015 academic year.
Institutions must have fully assessed, and seen evidence to verify, them as a defined vulnerable student. The categories are set out in the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund guide for 2014 to 2015.
Institutions who want to claim for students enrolled for the 2013 to 2014 academic year should continue to use the existing 2013 to 2014 vulnerable students claim form, which will remain in use until 31 August 2014.
The Learner Support Service (LSS) will begin to release payments for 2014 to 2015 claims in September. Any forms submitted to the LSS before then will be processed but payments will be held until September.
If you have any queries, please email 1619bursaryfund.efa@education.gsi.gov.uk or contact the LSS helpline on 0300 303 8610.
6. Information: help shape EFA’s digital developments
Influence EFA’s digital developments for academies by participating in the academy and maintained schools external reference group. The group interacts via an online system, Basecamp, and termly face to face meetings. To take part please email Jeanette Nelson.
7. Information: funding scheme for electricity efficiency projects opens for expressions of interest
The Department of Energy and Climate Change is inviting expressions of interest from organisations by 30 September 2014 for the Electricity Demand Reduction (EDR) pilot scheme.
The scheme will help support projects that deliver lasting reductions in electricity demand – for example, through the installation of a more efficient lighting system or electric pump.