1. GOVERNORS FUND
It is the responsibility of the School Governors to raise sufficient funds to cover their 10% liability for capital and repair works. These monies should be kept in the Governors’ Fund bank account. Proper records have to be kept. To assist them with fund raising – especially in meeting their liability on repair works, the Governors may raise a levy, payable by each parish for every baptised Catholic pupil.
The regulations governing this levy were updated and re-issued by the Bishop in 2002. See below. Where this levy is not sufficient to cover their liability, whether for capital or repairs, the Governors have to raise additional funds.
The categories of the sources of funding are given in order with the most important first. It is always essential to obtain funds from external sources. The Local Authority is an important source with specific grants or funds from savings out of the delegated budget; sometimes the Local Authority will cover the whole governors’ liability. The parishes should only be approached when all other sources have been tapped.
Third Parties
- Donations to governors fund – (charities, parents, PTA's)
- Gift Aided donations from individuals
- Lettings of school premises (sports, car boots, evening classes, etc.)
- Fundraising (socials, raffles)
- National Lottery Grants
- Sponsorship
Local Authority
- Delegated budget (Fair Funding)
- Specific grants for governors liabilities
- Loans
Parishes
- Capitation from contributing parishes
- Donations from contributing parishes
Note that donations from parishes (not capitation) will need the approval of the Diocesan Finance Committee. It must be emphasised that the onus for funding their liability is on the Governing Body and not on the parishes of the locality.
DIOCESAN POLICY ON SCHOOLS CAPITATION – 2002
At a recent meeting of the Primary Heads the question was raised concerning the funding of the Governors 10% liability for school repair/maintenance and capital projects.
When the Governing Body wishes to undertake major maintenance or capital projects with an outturn cost of £10,000 then the Diocesan Schools Service and the Diocesan Finance Committee approval must be sought.
It must be noted that the 'per capita' levy is only one way in which the Governors should seek to raise funds to cover their liability. Other sources of funding, including donations, gift aid, lettings, parental contributions, PTA support, fund-raising etc. should also be used. The LEA may also make contributions towards the Governors' liability.
The subject of Schools Capitation was dealt with by Bishop Cashman in March 1969, and again by Bishop Cormac in March 1992. These previous regulations are hereby updated as follows:
1. In order to fund the 10% liability that Governing Bodies of Catholic Voluntary Aided Schools have in relation to the upkeep of the school, all parishes who have children at the school are required to contribute to the Governors' Fund.
2. This contribution is to be made by a 'per capita' levy paid by the parish for all the baptised Catholic children who reside within the territory of the parish and attend either the parish school or any other Catholic Voluntary Aided School.
3. However, parishes should agree to pay the capitation for parishioners from another parish who regularly attend and support a parish which is not their territorial parish.
4. The School will provide to the Parish Priest a list of the baptised Catholic children who reside in the territory of the parish. To comply with the Data Protection Act, the parents’ consent must be sought beforehand.
5. It is on the basis of the above list that the 'per capita' sum is to be paid.
6. It is for the Governing Body to set the figure they need to support the 10% of repairs and maintenance. The figure must, however, be within the Diocesan guideline of: for Primary Schools (up to £10), for Secondary Schools (up to £20).
7. Where possible the School will provide information to the Parish Priest concerning the admission to the school of children from the parish.
8. If the Governing Body has not sufficient funds to meet their liability for these projects, it may be necessary to ask parishes for financial assistance above the normal 'per capita' levy. Where such financial assistance will result in the parish taking on a commitment of more than £7,500, or the parish going into overdraft then the permission of the Diocesan Finance Committee must be sought.
