Lea Hough achieve record level of funding in latest round of CIF bids

By Lea Hough Chartered Surveyors

10 Apr 2019

The outcome of the latest round of funding for the Education and Skills Funding Agency’s (ESFA) Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) has been announced and Lea Hough has yet again achieved a new record in the total amount of funding secured.

The total amount of funding attained by Lea Hough’s education sector team is £5.5 million – the highest level achieved to date. The number of projects that have been granted CIF funding is also higher than in previous years.

As a result, several academy schools across Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Cumbria and Yorkshire, will benefit from millions of pounds of investment.

The CIF is an annual bidding round for academy trusts and sixth form colleges under which schools can apply for government funding to improve buildings and other facilities. Academy schools can apply for full funding for a wide range of building repair and improvement projects, although criteria are strict.

Every year, Lea Hough work with academy clients across the North West to submit bids for works that fall in line with the ESFA’s criteria. As well as helping to identify the projects that are likely to gain finding, Lea Hough’s specialist team, led by Michael Harrison, also assist in preparing funding applications. Lea Hough then provides a full project management service to oversee the projects that win funding.

The range of projects that were granted funding in the latest round of bids include refurbishment works, safeguarding schemes, fire alarm replacements, boiler and heating upgrades, roofing schemes, window replacements, asbestos removal schemes, and fire door replacement projects.

Michael Harrison, who heads the Schools and Academies team at Lea Hough, commented:

“We are delighted with this result – it’s excellent news for our academy clients, many of whom will begin work on their projects at the start of the summer holidays.

“The CIF represents a significant opportunity for academies and schools to receive government funding and having been working in this area for several years now, we have been able to see the positive impact the funding has on academy schools.

“We are really proud of our working in this sector and our year-on-year success for our academy clients. The fact that we have been able to help win more bids and more funding than ever before can only be good news for the academy schools involved – many of which are located in Lancashire and Cumbria”.

The success rate of Lea Hough’s applications for CIF funding is even more impressive against a backdrop of reduced overall funding levels. The ESFA has revealed that a total of £433 million was allocated – a figure that is down from £513 million last year, so it has been a tougher assessment process.

Nationally, 1413 projects received funding at 1210 academies and sixth-form colleges. This compares with 1,556 projects at 1,229 academies in 2018-2019. Despite the tougher competition this year, Lea Hough’s team have achieved improved funding for our academy clients.

The news means a busy summer ahead for the Lea Hough team, who will project manage the building improvement and repair works for which bids were successful.

For more information on Lea Hough’s services for schools and academies, including preparation of bids for CIF funding, please contact them here.

Latest news

1

Three weekly domestic waste collection considered in plans Waste recycling Blackpool

Three weekly domestic waste collection considered in plans

01 Jul 2025

2

Graham Engineering confirms acquisition to a2e Industries Graham Engineering

Graham Engineering confirms acquisition to a2e Industries

01 Jul 2025

3

Training 2000 celebrate 'Good' rating by Ofsted Training 2000

Training 2000 celebrate 'Good' rating by Ofsted

01 Jul 2025

4

Fox Group acquires J Fisher and Sons Colin Fisher, Paul Fox CEO and Gary Fisher.

Fox Group acquires J Fisher and Sons

01 Jul 2025

5

Beever and Struthers strengthen leadership team with new partners Dean Curtis and Joe Diston

Beever and Struthers strengthen leadership team with new partners

01 Jul 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV123 July/August Launch Event
Lancashire Business View magazine launch
Networking
16 Jul 2025

LBV123 July/August Launch Event

Burnley

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Chamber Breakfast Networking – July
Chamber Logo1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
02 Jul 2025 - 02 Jul 2025

Chamber Breakfast Networking – July

St John's Hospice, Slyne Road, Lancaster, LA2 6ST

08:00 - 10:00

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4
LBV Hub Seminars
04 Jul 2025 - 04 Jul 2025

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

08:30 - 11:00

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase
unnamed (2).jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
09 Jul 2025 - 09 Jul 2025

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase

Crow Wood Hotel, Burnley, BB12 0RT

09:30 - 16:00

Chamber Summer BBQ
LBV Hub Social
17 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025

Chamber Summer BBQ

The Borough, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

17:30 - 20:00

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?
July Longer Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

North West Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880456273-4862066883-1-original.20241022-105445.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
24 Oct 2025 - 24 Oct 2025

North West Business Expo 2025

Bolton Stadium Hotel, Bolton, BL6 6SF

09:00 - 15:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin