Trusts that fail to ensure their school estates are in a 鈥渟afe working condition鈥 could be slapped with notices to improve, under an update to the academy trust handbook. But the move has sparked calls from sector leaders for 鈥渟ignificantly more鈥 cash to help them address longstanding building issues and a 鈥渃autious proportionate use of regulatory action鈥. The change has been revealed in the latest version of the handbook, which was published later than expected by the Department for Education due to the election. The 鈥 which trusts must comply with from September or risk breaching their funding agreements 鈥 also shows that chains will have to be given the government greenlight before signing off on electric vehicle salary sacrifice schemes. Here’s what you need to know鈥 1. Notices for unsafe buildings In a , Education and Skills Funding Agency boss David Withey confirmed the list of circumstances in which a notice to improve may be issued will be extended to include 鈥渆states management鈥. Leora Cruddas 鈥淒fE鈥檚 focus is about promoting constructive, supportive and ongoing dialogue with you, whilst recognising instances where there may be a need for additional action by a minority of trusts.鈥 The handbook states they may be given to chains if leaders fail 鈥渢o manage their school estate and maintain it in a safe working condition strategically and effectively鈥. However, Confederation of School Trusts chief executive Leora Cruddas argued that the RAAC crisis demonstrated that condition issues can be 鈥渓ong-term, expensive projects that trusts are not currently funded to deal with鈥. 鈥淔or trusts to truly maintain estates ‘strategically and effectively’ we need significantly more funding support from government, and cautious proportionate use of regulatory action,” she warned. 2. EV scheme 鈥榩ause鈥 , the handbook stated electric vehicle salary sacrifice schemes did not require ESFA approval if no liability fell on the trust if an employee didn鈥檛 鈥渇ulfil their contractual obligations鈥 with the provider. Other occasions where government go-ahead was needed were 鈥渇or other types of EV salary sacrifice schemes鈥 or if the trust was under a notice to improve. But updated guidance states prior approval will have to be sought by those entering a new scheme or if they accept any further members of staff onto an existing agreement. They must 鈥渃ontact ESFA early in the planning stage鈥 in such cases. Withey said a 鈥減ause鈥 was placed on the schemes following cross-government talks while 鈥渨e clarify our approach and gather data on how trusts are planning to implement them鈥. 3. Finance lease changes Previously, approval had to be sought before signing up for a finance lease. But from September 1 trusts will be allowed to finalise such agreements, provided they appear on the . Schools minister Catherine McKinnell noted this would give them 鈥済reater freedom鈥 to manage resources 鈥渂y being able to enter into finance leases for assets you use on a day-today basis鈥. 4. Internal audits mandated Over the next academic year trusts with an annual revenue over 拢50 million will be expected to 鈥渄eliver internal scrutiny鈥 by using an in-house auditor or through buying in such services. And by September 1, 2025, they will be mandated to have these measures in place. The handbook adds that 鈥渁ll trusts, regardless of income levels, may also use other individuals or organisations where specialist non-financial knowledge is required鈥. 5. Clear plans needed for reserves The new handbook emphasises that trusts must also draw up “a clear plan for managing reserves”. This will have to be included in policies for holding reserves, which are explained in annual reports.