To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills when the rules relating to capital funding announced in the Learning and Skills Council news release issue 411 came into force. (147492)

The Learning and Skills Council has advised that the criteria relating to capital funding announced in its news release issue 411 will be in force by September 2007.

To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what criteria have to be fulfilled by a further education college applying to receive the additional 5 per cent. of building costs for sustainable development announced in Learning and Skills Council news release 411; and whether this funding is in addition to the cost allowance of up to 10 per cent. available for addressing sustainability issues as detailed in paragraph 6.3 of the Learning and Skills capital handbook. (147493)

The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) has advised that the total allowance available to further education colleges for addressing sustainability issues is 10 per cent. of net building cost, as detailed in paragraph 6.3 of the LSC’s capital handbook. To qualify for LSC capital funds, all proposals are required to address sustainable development by meeting a number of criteria:

Meeting, and preferably exceeding, the requirements of part L of the Building Regulations.

Ensuring that completed development meets the criteria to achieve at least ‘very good’ Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) ratings. From September this year a rating of ‘excellent’ will be mandatory.

Maximising the use of natural lighting, ventilation and rainwater.

Embedding the principles of sustainability in the design of buildings and building systems.

The criteria that further education colleges have to fulfil in order to receive the additional 10 per cent. cost allowance are not formally specified. Colleges are instead asked to provide a sustainability statement listing the elements of the proposed project which address the sustainability agenda. The statement should include how the proposed design addresses sustainability issues outside the remit of current building regulations. The college should also identify the specific costs of those elements of the building.