Variations

6 Variations

6.1 General

6.1.1 The RSL must notify the Agency of any variation to the scheme from the original Bid (i.e. any change to the requirements that worked hard of an allocation condition recorded in the Agency's IMS or successor system after the original Bid).

What sort of changes? Click on the asterisk.

The RSL must also provide reasons for the variation.

The RSL must keep supporting documentation on file for compliance audit purposes.

6.1.2 The Agency will decide whether to accept the variations on the basis of whether the strategic need for which the allocation of Grant was given is still being met and whether the scheme still offers value for money, particularly in light of other bids for similar scheme

6.1.3 The Agency may reject the scheme and reclaim any Grant paid where variations are not acceptable, regardless of how far the scheme has progressed. For this reason it is in the RSL’s interest that it seeks the Agency's acceptance of the variation as soon as possible.

6.1.4 If a scheme cannot complete on all the proposed units by the original agreed final cost date, RSLs must inform their Investment Officer, who will consider splitting the scheme into phased completions over an appropriate development period.

6.1.5 All variations must have been identified at the correct stage, i.e. before RSLs make any further claims of Grant. Where variations are not disclosed to the Agency at the correct stage RSLs will have been falsely certifying on IMS that the data was correct and complies with funding conditions.

6.1.6 The Agency may terminate and reclaim any Grant paid plus interest on the scheme where the scheme no longer meets the criteria on which the allocation of Grant was originally given.

6.1.7 Where the variations are acceptable the Agency will pay Grant.

6.2 Variations identified before any payment of Grant has been made

6.2.1 RSLs must notify the Regional Investment Team of any variations to the scheme before claiming the first tranche of Grant. The Regional Investment Team will decide whether to accept the variations or terminate the scheme.

6.2.2 Where the termination occurs within the same financial year as allocation the allocation of Grant may be made available for an alternative scheme that offers value for money and meets local strategic needs. RSLs must discuss whether replacement bids will be acceptable with the Agency's local office who will decide which bids received will best meets this criteria.

6.2.3 Where scheme termination occurs after the financial year in which the allocation was given, it cannot be used on alternative schemes.

6.2.4 On schemes for Sale the RSL must notify the Agency where demand has reduced from Bid stage, in order for the Agency to change the allocation of Grant for the programme.

6.2.5 The RSL must notify the Agency as soon as it believes that it is unlikely to meet its sale targets in terms of units or spend.

6.3 Variations to scheme after a payment of Grant has been made

6.3.1 The Regional Investment Team must be notified of any variation together with the reasons behind the variations to be satisfied that the scheme still meets the original criteria on which the allocation was given. The Agency may terminate the scheme and reclaim any Grant paid plus interest where the scheme no longer meets the allocation criteria.

6.3.2 All changes must have been identified at the correct stage, i.e. before any further claims of Grant were made by the RSL. Where changes were not disclosed to the Agency at the correct stage, even if the changes are not fundamental, the RSL will have been falsely certifying on IMS that the data was correct and complies with funding conditions

6.3.3 Where the changes are acceptable the Agency will pay the Grant.

6.3.4 Differences in the programme revealed by data input following legal completion to the data input at programme approval will require the RSL’s to give reasons for the variations in order for the Agency to approve.

6.4 Social Homebuy

6.4.1 Where extra Purchase Grant is sought for the programme:
the RSL will need to contact the Regional Investment Team to review the programme allocation, The Regional Investment Team will assess whether the revised Bid still offers value for money.