Developing the Trust Tim Warneford

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.

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. 
 
On this episode we discuss:
 
The raw deals schools are getting with energy contracts 
Opaque culture of energy procurement system
Seems against schools interests
Risks facing schools in unregulated market
James Robson's path to the academy sector
His background in aviation, airports then electricity and gas
The industry being, surprisingly, unregulated 
The shock that academies have no recourse if things go wrong
Going into the market with a transparent tender
Working on better contracts than the local authority
Local authorities no longer happy with procurement methodology 
But are reluctant to change supplier
Introducing competitive tender means best value 
ESFA being strong about cost certainty 
Local authorities having no competitive tender or certainty of future price 
Volume purchases being attractive but not bespoke 
Academies cannot deal directly with supplier 
Energy is the second largest cost to school (after staffing)
How schools/academies should challenge brokers who contact them 
Schools need to be more sceptical about brokers' offerings 
An apparent disconnect between the contract and the school 
How securing a fixed price energy contract for the duration IS possible 
How they are fixing rates for clients for several years 
Some schools getting a nasty shock with energy cost rises 
There are recourses for schools that have been overcharged schools will need help with this 
Schools likely to face more costs - cost certainty being essential 
School staff having been wrongly trusted or been misold by brokers 

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’.
This episode looks at the impact of the delay, why CIF bids fail and how to ensure your CIF submission stands the best chance of success.
 
On this episode we explore:
 
The latest news on CIF
The announcement being not was anticipated.
The updates on gov.uk including the size of the CIF allocation (£502 Million)
A drop from last year’s double round of CIF of £620 Million
But up by 20% on previous years CIF pot of circa £440 million
The ESFA saying mid-June’ will still give lead-in time
Post Brexit issues
The knock on-effect of more projects will be delivered in term time
An increase in health and safety risks and for disruption for schools
Some trusts may defer projects until next year
Stiff competition between CIF eligible schools
Why CIF Bids fail
Tim’s recommended approach for a successful bid
How to make a bid stand out
 
 
Contact Tim:
 
07970 466 010
tim@warnefordconsulting.com

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.
 
On this episode we cover: 
Harvey’s background in the industry
Schools struggling with capital investment
Efficiency upgrades always way down the list
Switching to LED to fund savings
Salix being attractive but fraught with problems
Offering a Salix advisory process
Need a high quality energy services provider with experience in schools
Most schools considered LED lighting but not gone through with it
Can be a partner for advising and auditing
Launched the new fund to support the 0% funding solution
Investing 5 million into their business model
Having a seamless data collection process
Collecting date in an unobtrusive way
Capturing data quickly and accurately
The number of pupils can roughly give an estimate of costs
Calculating by room by zoning buildings during operating hours
Installing over 70 calls in 8 weeks of summer holidays
Having the capacity to do 20-30 schools a month
The 3 year plan to fit 3000 schools
10% of the schools market
Looking into electrified heating as well as lighting
Being a specialised energy company
Will conduct a no win no fee survey that will turn into complete proposal for the school
Cost of delay is the biggest value driver of any energy project
They can be on site within a week
Then two weeks later a report will be finished
Having exclusive products specific to education market
A ten year warranty and within a week delivery
 
 
 
 

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.
 
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