Somerset Council’s Education Property team is preparing a Pressure Bid, which helps secure the investment needed to maintain safe, compliant, and sustainable school buildings across the estate. The Property team are specifically gathering data where there is insufficient school budget available to complete certain actions and remedial works from Fire Risk Assessments (FRAs). To ensure that this submission accurately reflects the needs of every school, it is essential that all settings complete and return the Property form available here: SLA Online
Why your completed form is essential
Your submission provides the Property team with accurate and up to date information about required FRA works and emerging risks. This allows the Council to:
- Produce an evidence-based Pressure Bid
- Prioritise funding in line with statutory obligations
- Plan maintenance, remedial works, and safety improvements
- Ensure schools receive the support they need for timely and compliant property management
Forms that are late or incomplete reduce the accuracy of the funding assessment and may delay necessary works.
Fire Risk Assessment actions
Alongside the Pressure Bid process, schools are reminded of their responsibility to complete (where possible) and update Fire Risk Assessment actions. Outstanding or unrecorded FRA actions create significant compliance risks and can affect both the safety of the school community and the Council’s statutory responsibilities.
Further information on the importance of completing FRA actions can be found here: https://external.somerset.gov.uk/fire-risk-assessment-compliance/
Schools must ensure that:
- FRA actions recorded in Civica are reviewed and updated regularly
- Completed works are logged with comments and completion dates
- Any challenges in completing actions are raised promptly with Property Services
- Governors are informed of outstanding actions and progress
What schools need to do now
Once you have received your quotes for FRA remedial works and you have established these are unaffordable:
- Download and complete the Property form and return it to the Property team as soon as possible
- Ensure FRA actions are updated in Civica and that any unresolved issues are communicated promptly
- Maintain clear records for inspection and governance
- Contact Property if support or clarification is needed
This process helps safeguard pupils, staff and visitors and ensures the Council can plan and prioritise property investment effectively. Returning the form and keeping your FRA actions up to date are essential parts of maintaining a safe and compliant school environment.
