Developing the Trust
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For this episode Tim Warneford is in Sittingbourne in Kent to speak to Phil Reynolds. Phil has spent over 20 years specialising in academy schools accountancy firstly at pecialist accountants Kreston Reeves and now with his own consultancy PLR Advisory We explore how specialist accountancy can assist schools determine a trust strategy and how upskilling in house SLTT through training and development can achieve operational wins.
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For this episode Tim Warneford travels to Wiltshire to speak to Powerful Allies Chairman, James Robson, about the risks posed to academy schools for energy procurement in an un-regulated market place.
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The hot topic of conversation across the sector is the recent update from the ESFA, revealing that the much awaited publication of the 2021-22 round of Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) awards, have been postponed until ‘mid-June’.
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On this episode Tim talks to Harvey Sinclair, a technology entrepreneur and CEO of E Energy PLC about the fast-moving world of lighting and also electrified heating discussing how schools can save energy and indeed costs by changing their electrics.
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Tim Warneford is in Alton, Hampshire, with Steve Bolt, director of BCR Associates, a cost management consultancy that support clients – including academies - to increase efficiency, manage risk, ensure compliance and rationalise procurement costs. Tim and Steve are also working on a collaboration with Lloyds Bank education team to support academy trusts seeking to assist academy trust to optimise resources and maximise potential.
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Tim Warneford is once again out and about now lockdown is easing – travelling and recording with all social distancing in mind of course - to speak to Kevin Yardley at The Generations Multi Academy Trust. Kevin is director of income generation and his role is to ensure the estates facilities yield substantial revenue streams through optimising letting opportunities and via external partnerships.
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For this episode Tim Warneford is in Bedfordshire to speak to Jeremy Pilgrim from School Property Matters who are independent experts in pupil capacity and have worked with over 2500 schools so far.
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This week Tim Warneford is in Stockton-on-Tees to speak to Graham Fitzgerald, general practice and audit director at Baldwin Accountants. As well as dealing with commercial organisations, Graham specialises in the education sector, providing audit and advisory services and working with over forty academy schools including an increasing number of multi academy trusts.
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Tim Warneford is in London’s West End with Lara Harvard and Zoe Forbes from Ecosphere and Gareth Williams from Eden Sustainable talking about how schools and academy trusts can both save money and also be much greener by installing better energy systems and also their exclusive offer available to both academy trusts and state schools.
info_outlineTim Warneford is in Alton, Hampshire, with Steve Bolt, director of BCR Associates, a cost management consultancy that support clients – including academies - to increase efficiency, manage risk, ensure compliance and rationalise procurement costs. Tim and Steve are also working on a collaboration with Lloyds Bank education team to support academy trusts seeking to assist academy trust to optimise resources and maximise potential.
On this episode we cover:
The challenges of managing large estates, buildings and energy efficiency
BCR understand how a site consumes energy
They will audit and review their energy
To allow academies to help educate staff and pupils on energy consumption
Looking at what is going in the energy metres
Getting clamps sponsored so there’s no outlay for the school
Schools taking positive steps towards reducing energy consumption
Pupils then looking at global warming and climate change
DfE encouraging people to address carbon reduction
Lockdown reducing energy consumption worldwide
Schools being encouraged to invest in technology
Analysing data collected about a school’s energy management
Schools having three contract options for energy
Over 27 government levies and taxes in energy products
Making sure contracts allow schools to reduce energy without penalties
The commercial world having more flexibility than LEA schools
Gas prices at ten year low due to lockdown
Financial challenges always there for schools
Grants that are available to support capital outlay
Creative solutions such as renting roof space for cheaper electricity
‘Educating the educators’ to make savings
Operating leases versus power purchase agreements
Encouraging estates to reinvest back into income generating schemes
Schools adding carbon management into the curriculum
Pupils getting involved with carbon saving initiatives
Making schools as cost effective as possible
Suggest schools review their current contracts for electricity and a gas
A mid market review will enable schools to negotiate mid-contract and save cash
Tim’s revamped due diligence package
Academies can expect a 5-10% energy cost increase each year
Considering the above it is key for academies and schools to act on energy consumption now
Schools needing to have energy plans in place