KWC Financial Support Applications 2020-2024

Summary

The request sought details on seven financial support applications made by King William's College between 2020 and 2024, excluding one under internal review. The Department for Enterprise disclosed a table containing dates, amounts, and statuses for six specific applications, noting that some were withdrawn or pending completion.

Key Facts

• The Department for Enterprise received seven financial support applications from King William's College between 2020 and 2024.
• Three of the applications were withdrawn by the applicant and did not progress.
• Two applications were completed and paid, while one was completed but not yet paid.
• The most recent application resulted in an accepted offer with no payment made at the time of the response.
• The response provided a detailed table for six applications, excluding the one subject to an internal review.

Data Disclosed

• 2020-2024
• 7 applications
• 3 withdrawn
• 2 completed and paid
• £2,250
• £10,000
• £8,970
• £7,912.50
• £5,000
• £975
• £3,500
• 13/10/2020
• 18/11/2020
• 09/08/2021
• 11/05/2021
• FOI Ref 4587906
• 25% reduction in turnover

Original Request

In his response to Question 13 (relating to applications for financial support made by King William's College or a connected body) at the House of Keys Sitting of 8th April 2025 the DfE Minister stated: 'Department records indicate that a total of seven applications have been received by King William's College between 2020 and 2024, although three were withdrawn and did not progress. Two applications have been completed and paid, one has been completed although not yet paid, and the most recent application has resulted in an offer being made which was accepted last week, although no payment has been made against this offer at this stage.' I seek information in relation to those seven applications (excluding the application that was the subject of FOI Ref 4587906 submitted on 14th April 20025 (reply sent 28th May 2025) and which currently is the subject of an FOI Internal Review Request) namely: Date of each request for financial assistance from KWC, the date such approval for assistance was given (where applicable), the amount of financial assistance requested in each application (including those consequently withdrawn) the amount subsequently granted in those cases where the applications were not withdrawn together with the terms and conditions imposed on the College in respect of case where assistance has been approved/provided and, where applicable for those applications where such assistance has been given, full details (dates and amounts) of repayments made to date; and All information generated as a result of these applications. This includes but is not limited to correspondence between the DfE and all other stakeholders (KWC, other Government Departments, KWC Auditor etc), apposite extracts from minutes of meetings where such applications were discussed, briefings to the Minister and DfE Political Members etc.

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Appendix 1 Date Applied Approval Date Scheme Name Applied for Amount Applied For - All prices exclude VAT Amount Paid - All prices exclude VAT Current Status Notes Terms and Conditions Repayments Made 13/10/2020 18/11/2020 Business Improvement Scheme ICT £2,250 £0 Closed at applicant request ICT systems audit in relation to the process for marketing, enquiries, paying deposits and student enrolment.  Currently multiple systems involved. 50% payment on submission to the Department of proof of project completion and proof of 100% payment to Project Consultant N/A 13/10/2020 18/11/2020 Business Improvement Scheme Website £10,000 £8,970 (project came in under budget) Paid 09/08/2021 ERG Funded website 50% payment on submission to the Department of proof of project completion (website visible online) and proof of 100% payment to Project Consultant N/A 03/12/2020 10/12/2020 Business Improvement Scheme ICT £7,912.50 (Scheme Cap £5,000) £0 Closed at applicant request ICT strategic systems review.  Includes report listing pitfalls and issues with the current various systems and provide a solution and scoping document for a replacement CRM system. 50% payment on submission to the Department of proof of project completion and proof of 100% payment to Project Consultant N/A 16/03/2021 18/05/2021 Business Improvement Scheme ICT £5,000 £0 Closed at applicant request ICT implementation. 50% payment on submission to the Department of proof of project completion and proof of 100% payment to Project Consultant N/A 18/07/2023 18/10/2023 Business Improvement Scheme Quality £975 £0 project not complete Project on-going Cyber Essentials Accreditation. 50% payment on submission to the Department of proof of project completion (quality accreditation gained and certificate submitted) and proof of 100% payment to Project Consultant N/A 30/04/2021 11/05/2021 Coronavirus Business Support Scheme - Circuit Break Lockdown (Round 2) Coronavirus support £3,500 £3,500 Paid 11/05/2021 Lockdown support. https://www.iomdfenterprise.im/media/ wepgofdw/cbl2- 14042022_compressed.pdf The business must be operating in an eligible sector, who have seen a 25% or above reduction in turnover and have overheads of more than £250 a month. N/A

Freedom of Information Co-ordinator 1st Floor, St Georges Court Upper Church Street, Douglas Isle of Man IM1 1EX

Telephone: (01624 686400) Website: https://www.iomdfenterprise.im/

Our ref: 4723017 11 July 2025

Dear ###

We write further to your request, received 13 June 2025, which states:

"In his response to Question 13 (relating to applications for financial support made by King William's College or a connected body) at the House of Keys Sitting of 8th April 2025 the DfE Minister stated:

'Department records indicate that a total of seven applications have been received by King William's College between 2020 and 2024, although three were withdrawn and did not progress. Two applications have been completed and paid, one has been completed although not yet paid, and the most recent application has resulted in an offer being made which was accepted last week, although no payment has been made against this offer at this stage.'

I seek information in relation to those seven applications (excluding the application that was the subject of FOI Ref 4587906 submitted on 14th April 20025 (reply sent 28th May 2025) and which currently is the subject of an FOI Internal Review Request) namely:

Date of each request for financial assistance from KWC, the date such approval for assistance was given (where applicable), the amount of financial assistance requested in each application (including those consequently withdrawn) the amount subsequently granted in those cases where the applications were not withdrawn together with the terms and conditions imposed on the College in respect of case where assistance has been approved/provided and, where applicable for those applications where such assistance has been given, full details (dates and amounts) of repayments made to date; and

All information generated as a result of these applications. This includes but is not limited to correspondence between the DfE and all other stakeholders (KWC, other Government Departments, KWC Auditor etc), apposite extracts from minutes of meetings where such applications were discussed, briefings to the Minister and DfE Political Members etc."

Our response to your request is as follows: Page | 2

With regards to the further information relating to the applications for financial assistance, please find this information in Appendix 1. To add context to the information requested, the columns highlighted in grey have also been added to the table. I note your request relates to the seven applications referred to at the House of Keys sitting of 8th April 2025, excluding the application detailed under FOI Ref 4587906, and therefore the details of the remaining six are appended. With regards to supplying all of the information generated in relation to the applications, whilst it is our aim to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the information you have requested has been assessed as being absolutely exempt under section 26 of the Act, as it has been determined that part or all of the information requested, if disclosed would likely constitute an actionable breach of confidence. There is an implicit understanding that a business which makes an application for financial support, does so on the basis that the information supplied and exchanged in relation to that application is confidential. Any such disclosure of that information constitutes a breach of confidence that may result in legal action being brought against the Department.

The Department can confirm that it follows strict rules when determining the economic benefit that may be derived from any award made to provide grant assistance to a new or established business. It relies on information provided by the applicant as specified in the Guidance to each Scheme it administers. Where necessary, the Department makes its own assessment of the economic benefit of supporting an application for financial assistance.

The Department provides a comprehensive report to Tynwald on all financial assistance granted in each financial year, under the Enterprise Act 2008. This report is freely available to the public and can also be found on our website: -

https://www.iomdfenterprise.im/enterprise-support/enterprise-act-annual-reports/

Information relating to financial assistance given during the Coronavirus pandemic can be found here: -

https://www.iomdfenterprise.im/enterprise-support/coronavirus/

Please quote the reference number 4723017 in any future communications.

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I will now close your request as of this date.