UPDATE: 11th July 2023
The Swimming Pool Support Fund has now officially launched, with the fund split into two phases. Phase I is now open for applications.
Phase I – Revenue: £20m is available to support facilities with swimming pools with increased cost pressures, leaving them most vulnerable to closure or significant service reduction.
Phase II – Capital: £40m will also be made available by the government for capital investment to improve the energy efficiency of public facilities with pools in the medium to long term.
Phase I is now open for applications. Completed forms can be submitted via the online portal from 4 August 2023 and the deadline for receipt of applications is 11 August 2023.
Details on the funding for energy efficiency projects will follow shortly with an expected launch date of September 2023 for applications.
It is this funding phase in which SystemsLink’s energy management software – Energy Manager- will be an applicable investment solution to support your decarbonisation and long-term energy efficiency. But we can also introduce you to comprehensive range of Energy Efficiency solutions.
What is Phase I funding?
The eligible costs that can be included in applications are pool chemical costs and utility costs attributable to swimming pools. The utilities to be included are Gas, Electricity, Water, Oil and LPG.
Funding can’t be used in whole, or in part, towards operator profit, employment costs, redundancy or similar payments.
Funding can’t be used to retrospectively cover any costs or liabilities incurred prior to 1 April 2023.
How much can be applied for?
To maximise the impact of the fund, each successful local authority will receive a minimum of £10,000 and a maximum of £500,000 as a whole, for all the facilities included in the application.
What is the application process?
The application must have the approval of the local authority’s Section 151 officer.
A single application form must be submitted by the local authority, on behalf of the eligible pools in their area, using the online portal.
Has your swimming pool struggled to stay afloat amidst rising energy bills and increased operational and maintenance costs?
Support has become available as the government has launched a Swimming Pool Support Fund for local authorities in England. A £63.3 million fund is soon to be available for council-run leisure centres with swimming pools, and pools ran on behalf of councils by private companies or charities.
The support fund, which is administered by Sport England, aims to give swimming pools a financial boost for energy efficiency investments. It’s expected to launch at the end of June.
“This is a significant and welcome amount of support from the Government that will offer a lifeline to many public leisure centres across England as well as help sustain them into the future.”
Tim Hollingsworth, Sport England Chief Executive
What does the funding include?
£40m is to be allocated for investment in decarbonisation and long-term energy efficiency solutions, such as energy management or monitoring software.
The remaining £23m will be available in the form of grants to support vulnerable facilities who face potential closure or service reduction due to increased cost pressures.
What are the funding timescales?
- Applications are to be submitted by the end of July
- Applications will be assessed by Sport England in August
- Decision of recipients will be announced in September
- Payments will follow on receipt of a signed funding agreement
Applications will only be accepted from local authorities. Each local authority is to submit one application for all publicly accessible swimming pools in the area. If you represent a community pool offering public access outside of the local authorities’ own asset base, please contact your local authority to apply on your behalf.
Sport England is working with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to set the capital fund criteria and application process.
How can SystemsLink help?
It’s expected that applications to the fund will be competitive, so we advise all eligible applicants to contact us as soon as possible to start preparing. Applications will need to be ready for as soon as the application window opens for the best possible chance of success.
Whilst details on the process and the application form itself have yet to be revealed, SystemsLink anticipates that energy management software will be an applicable investment solution to support your decarbonisation and long-term energy efficiency.
Energy Manager is already supporting 110 local authorities across the UK, providing an extremely cost-effective way of implementing energy monitoring and targeting systems. Monitor and control your swimming pool’s energy usage to identify wastage, achieve savings and reduce costs and CO2 emissions.
SystemsLink can help you gather all the information you need to submit a successful application, as well as deliver the technology required. But to increase your chances of acceptance, you need to act quickly.
Speak to one of our specialists today and with our support, we can help you secure funding to implement the UK’s marketing-leading energy management software into your organisation.
