Somerset Council’s Property Client Team introduced a new PIP form at the beginning of September 2025 – CIP forms are now obsolete.
All Somerset Council (SC) maintained schools should submit Property Investment Proposal forms (PIPs) for the approval of any changes of use, building work or refurbishment of the school buildings or grounds, regardless of the funding source.
Work should not begin before schools receive their letter of approval from the Property Client Team following submission of the PIP form.
VA schools are requested to submit PIP forms to inform SC of any changes in order for their property records to be updated. Academy Schools, where the buildings are subject to a lease agreement between the Academy Trust and SC, should contact the Estates Team (email: Estates@somerset.gov.uk) for approval to any site or building changes.
All PIP applicants are encouraged to seek initial project advice from a property professional before a PIP application is submitted. Schools may wish to purchase traded service PRO014/T (meetings & advice) from Support Services for Education (SSE), or seek professional advice from an external property consultant.
If a school intends for their proposed works to be project managed by SC Property, they should submit a Property Managed PIP.
If a school wishes to self-manage the project they will need to submit a School Managed PIP. The school managed PIP form gives assurances to SC that the project manager has the construction design management (CDM) knowledge and competence to successfully deliver the project. It also seeks to ensure the school is engaging contractors in accordance with SC policies, and that the works will meet Building Regulations and Design Standards for education settings.
The responsibility for funding arrangements with PIPs remains with the school. If the work/items are to be entirely funded from DFCG then the usual DFCG process will apply (as always, DFCG funds should be used to address priority condition issues).
Submitting Your PIP Form
The Property Investment Proposal form is on the Property Page on SSE.
Save the Excel PIP document to your own computer, fill in the required information, then email to: PropertyClientTeam@somerset.gov.uk, including any documentation.
SC officers will evaluate the submission and a letter informing of the outcome will be issued. This could be an approval letter, an email rejecting the PIP until further information is acquired, or a letter declining the PIP if that project is judged to be high risk based on the information received.
Learn more:
Education Property | Support Services for Education
Blank PIP Form
Management of Contractors Guidance
F32 Contractor’s Questionnaire
