Hillingdon Council Cabinet Member and Officer Decisions
New Allocation & Capital Release of S106 Contributions 2025/26: Grange Park School Amalgamation Project – CR 5
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Democratic Services Location: Phase II Ext: 0692 DDI: 01895 250692 CMD No: 1635 To: COUNCILLOR EDDIE LAVERY CABINET MEMBER FOR FINANCE & TRANSFORMATION COUNCILLOR SUSAN O’BRIEN CABINET MEMBER FOR CHILDREN, FAMILIES & EDUCATION c.c. All Members of th e Corporate Resources & Infrastructure Select Committee c.c. Dan Kennedy – Corporate Director of Residents Services c.c. Julie Kelly – Corporate Director of Children’s Services c.c. Nikki Wyatt – Residents Services Directorate c.c. Gary Binstead – Children’s Services Directorate c.c. Ward Councillors for Belmore Date: 16 February 2026 Non-Key Decision request Form D NEW ALLOCATION & CAPITAL RELEASE OF S106 CONTRIBUTIONS 2025/26: GRANGE PARK SCHOOL AMALGAMATION PROJECT – CR 5 Dear Cabinet Members, Attached is a report requesting that a decision be made by you as an individual Cabinet Member. Democratic Services confirm that this is not a key decision, as such, the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012 notice period does not apply. You should take a decision on or after Tuesday 24 February 2026 in order to meet Constitutional requirements about publication of decisions that are to be made. You may wish to discuss the report with the Corporate Director before it is made. Please indicate your decision on the duplicate memo supplied and return it to me when you have made your decision. I will then arrange for the formal notice of decision to be published. Ryan Dell Democratic Services Title of Report: NEW ALLOCATION & CAPITAL RELEASE OF S106 CONTRIBUTIONS 2025/26: GRANGE PARK SCHOOL AMALGAMATION PROJECT – CR 5 Decision made: Reasons for your decision: (e.g. as stated in report) Alternatives considered and rejected: (e.g. as stated in report) Signed ……………………………………………………… Date…………………….. Cabinet Member for Finance & Transformation / Cabinet Member for Children, Families & Education Cabinet Member Report – 16 February 2026 Page 1 Part I – Public NEW ALLOCATION & CAPITAL RELEASE OF S106 CONTRIBUTIONS 2025/26: GRANGE PARK SCHOOL AMALGAMATION PROJECT – CR 5 Cabinet Member & Portfolio Councillor Eddie Lavery – Cabinet Member for Finance & Transformation Councillor Susan O’Brien – Cabinet Member for Children, Families & Education Responsible Officer Dan Kennedy – Corporate Director of Residents Services Julie Kelly – Corporate Director Children Services Report Author & Directorate Nikki Wyatt – Residents Services Directorate Gary Binstead – Children’s Services Directorate Papers with report Appendix A – Capital release requests for approval Appendix B – Details of S106 contribution HEADLINES Summary To seek Cabinet Member approval to allocate and release funds from the S106 contribution held at EYL/253/607A towards costs associated with the amalgamation of Grange P ark S chool, as detailed within this report. Putting our Residents First Delivering on the Council Strategy 2022-2026 This report supports our ambition for residents/ the Council of: An efficient, well-run, digital-enabled council working with partners to deliver services to improve the lives of all our residents This report supports our commitments to residents of: Thriving, Healthy Households Financial Cost This report seeks to allocate £ 50k from the identified s106 contribution held by the Council towards the scheme outlined in the report. Select Committee Corporate Resources & Infrastructure Select Committee Ward Belmore RECOMMENDATIONS That the Cabinet Member for Finance & Transformation, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children, Families and & Education: 1) Approve the allocation and spend of £50,000 from the S106 contributions held at EYL/253/607A to be used towards improvement works associated with the amalgamation of Grange Park School; and 2) Approve the capital release requesting £ 50,000 towards the works, as outlined in Appendix A to this report. Cabinet Member Report – 16 February 2026 Page 2 Part I – Public Reasons for recommendations In accordance with the Council ’s Constitution, the allocation of Section 106 ( S106) funds is required to be formally approved by the Cabinet Member for Finance & Transformation on a case- by-case basis – and any capital release, in conjunction with the relevant Cabinet portfolio holder. This report requests the approval for the S 106 funds held at the case reference detailed in this report to be committed as outlined in this report. The Local Authority acknowledges that schools undergoing amalgamation may require specific capital investment to modify their facilities specifically as a result of amalgamation. To support this, a capital grant of up to £50,000 is being proposed to contribute towards essential building works, or other capital expenditure directly associated with the amalgamation process. Alternative options considered/ risk management The Cabinet Members may agree to fund the scheme and/ or suggest alternative projects to which funds could be allocated within the terms of the relevant legal agreements. If the S106 funds are not allocated to an appropriate scheme, the unspent funds may need to be refunded. Democratic compliance/ previous authority The Cabinet Member for Finance & Transformation has the delegated authority to allocate funds from S106 planning obligation monies. Both the Cabinet Member for Children, Families & Education, and the Cabinet Member for Planning, Housing & Growth have been consulted and endorse the proposal. Select Committee comments None at this stage. SUPPORTING INFORMATION S106 Planning Obligations Planning obligations, or S106 agreements, are an established mechanism for mitigating planning effects arising from development proposals. The agreements are usually negotiated within the context of planning applications, between local planning authorities and persons with an interest in the piece of land (owners, leaseholders or developers). They are intended to make development acceptable, which would otherwise be unacceptable in planning terms. Any S106 monies generated from planning agreements must be spent on their intended purpose and that the associated development contributes to the sustainability of the area by addressing the impacts of the development proposals. As a result, expenditure of S106 funds must relate to a specific development and must be in accordance with the corresponding legal agreements. If a contribution is not used for the intended purpose or not spent within the period allocated in the S106 agreement, the monies may need to be returned. School Amalgamation Programme The London Borough of Hillingdon continues to implement a strategic programme aimed at merging separate Infant and Junior Schools to create all-through Primary Schools in line with the Cabinet Member Report – 16 February 2026 Page 3 Part I – Public amalgamation policy agreed by Cabinet in October 2022. This initiative is designed to ensure long term financial stability, strengthen educational continuity, streamline operational delivery, and improve pupil outcomes. Schools undergoing amalgamation may require specific capital investment to modify their facilities specifically as a result of amalgamation. To support this, a capital grant of up to £50,000 is being proposed to contribute towards essential building works, or other capital expenditure directly associated with the amalgamation process for Grange Park school. Recognising the financial challenges currently faced by schools, the Local Authority is committed to providing targeted support. The proposed funding will help to contribute towards costs which are a direct impact of amalgamating the schools, such as integrated servers, new signage etc, ensuring that educational standards and organisational stability are maintained throughout the transition. Grange Park School: Cabinet approved the proposal to amalgamate Grange Park Infant & Nursery School and Grange Park Junior school in April 2025. This process followed the statutory guidance Making significant changes to maintained schools and Opening and closing maintained schools and the school has now opened as Grange Park School for pupils aged 3 to 11. Proposed S106 allocation This report requests that £50,000 from the s106 education contribution held at case reference EYL/253 /607A and outlined in Appendix B, is allocated and spent towards works associated with the amalgamation of Grange Park Infant and Junior Schools . The funding will enable essential building works, or other capital expenditure directly associated with the amalgamation process for Grange Park school. Table 1 below provides an indicative set of works and costs amounting to £49,943.60. The school will carry out the works and payment will be made to the school as a one- off grant payment following confirmation of the completion of works and copy invoices. Table 1: Cost Plan Description Amount IT Services for school merger 14,308 Entrance Doors and Alterations 24,279 Signage 6,048 CCTV works 2,724 Reception Hatch 2,585 Total £49,944 It is considered that the proposed works will enhance the provision at the Grange Park School as a direct result of the amalgamation of Grange Park Infant & Nursery School and Grange Park Junior school, delivering long term viability for the future of the school. With Grange Park Infant & Nursery School and Grange Park Junior school amalgamat ing to become Grange Park School. There are now nine pairs of Infant and Junior schools in Hillingdon. It is intended that any future school a malgamations that come forward in line with the policy will also be funded from S106 education contributions where appropriate (or other revenue streams) up to the value of £50,000. Cabinet Member Report – 16 February 2026 Page 4 Part I – Public Financial Implications S106 2025/26 Budget £78k; Previously Released Nil; Capital Release Requested £50k - Appendix A The report seeks the allocation and capital release of £50k from the S106 contribution held at EYL/253/607A relating to South Ruislip Library, Plot B, Victoria Road, Ruislip towa rds the amalgamation of Grange Park Infant & Junior Schools to enable essential building modifications. The schools will carry out the works and payment will be made to the school as a one- off grant payment following confirmation of the completion of works and copy invoices. The release of £50k will enable the project to progress. The proposals meet the conditions stipulated by the developer in the S106 agreement on the intended use of the S106 contributions. The remaining £28k of the S106 contribution is subject to the S106 allocation and capital release process. RESIDENT BENEFIT & CONSULTATION The benefit or impact upon Hillingdon residents, service users and communities The recommendations will enable external S106 funds to be spent to maximum effect to provide viable improvements for the benefit of local communities. Consultation & Engagement carried out (or required) Any decision to initiate consideration of a school amalgamation would constitute the preliminary stage of the formal statutory process involving consultations. Subsequent discussions would only proceed once one or more relevant triggers have been reached, in accordance with the Council’s policy and the Department for Education’s statutory guidance for maintained schools, Making significant changes to maintained schools and Opening and closing maintained schools – or, in the case of academies, Making significant changes to an academy and Closure of an academy by mutual agreement following a conversion to academy status of any maintained school (see Convert to an academy: guide for schools - Guidance - GOV.UK). CORPORATE CONSIDERATIONS Corporate Finance Corporate Finance have reviewed this report and concur with the Financial Implications set out above, noting the recommendations to allocate £50k S106 contributions toward improvement works associated with the amalgamation of Grange Park School. Furthermore, it is noted that Capital Release is sought from the developer contributions to enable the improvement works associated with the amalgamation, with this being in accordance with the planning obligation agreements. Cabinet Member Report – 16 February 2026 Page 5 Part I – Public Legal Legal Services has considered the content of the Section 106 agreement referred to in this report and concludes that the recommendations presented are consistent with the terms of the respective agreements. Capital Release Protocol The release of all capital funds, and certain revenue funds, held by the Council is to be made by a formal democratic decision. No expenditure can be placed or committed by officers until this formal approval is given by Democratic Services. Release of funds must be for identified projects only and strictly not for the general release of funds for projects to be identified at a later date. No block releases of capital or funding will be allowed, except if authorised by the Leader of the Council in advance t o Corporate Finance. The release of funds will only be made if previous Council, Cabinet or Cabinet Member agreement has been given to the project and only if there is an approved budget. Comments from other relevant service areas The scheme has been developed in consultation with relevant service groups as appropriate. BACKGROUND PAPERS Planning Obligations Supplementary Planning Document Adopted July 2008 and amended July 2014. Department for Education’s statutory guidance for maintained schools: • Making significant changes to maintained schools • Opening and closing maintained schools Department for Education’s guidance in the case of academies: • Making significant changes to an academy • Closure of an academy by mutual agreement • Convert to an academy: guide for schools - Guidance - GOV.UK TITLE OF ANY APPENDICES Appendix A –Capital release request Appendix B – Details of S106 contribution to be allocated Cabinet Member Report – 16 February 2026 Page 6 Part I – Public APPENDIX A – CAPITAL RELEASE REQUESTS FOR APPROVAL S106 Capital Release 2025/26: Capital Funding for Amalgamated Schools – Grange Park School CR 5 Location Project/ Expenditure Title Information Funds Release Sought £000’s Approve Hold More Information Required Grange Park School Capital Funding for Amalgamated Schools Contribution towards capital expenditure related to the amalgamation of Grange Park Infant & Nursery School and Grange Park Junior school 50 Total seeking release 50 Previously released 0 Budget 78 Remaining budget 28 Cabinet Member Report – 16 February 2026 Page 7 Part I – Public APPENDIX B - DETAILS OF S106 CONTRIBUTION TO BE ALLOCATED
View Decision / Minutes Text
Executive Decision Notice – 24 February 2026
This notice is a public document also available to view on the Council's website www.hillingdon.gov.uk
OFFICIAL EXECUTIVE DECISION NOTICE
PUBLISHED BY DEMOCRATIC SERVICES
Notice is hereby given that the following decision(s) have been made today by
Cabinet Members at the London Borough of Hillingdon:
Title of decision NEW ALLOCATION & CAPITAL RELEASE OF S106
CONTRIBUTIONS 2025/26: GRANGE PARK SCHOOL
AMALGAMATION PROJECT – CR 5
Reference No. 1635
Date of decision Tuesday 24 February 2026
Call-in expiry date Tuesday 03 March 2026
Relevant Select
Committee
Corporate Resources & Infrastructure Select Committee
Relevant Wards Belmore
Decision made
Cabinet Members making
the decision
Councillor Eddie Lavery , Cabinet Member for Finance &
Transformation
Councillor Susan O ’Brien, Cabinet Member for Children,
Families & Education
Decision Approved
That the Cabinet Member for Finance & Transformation,
in consultation with the Cabinet
Member for Children,
Families & Education:
1) Approved the allocation and spend of £50,000
from the S106 contributions held at EYL/253/607A
to be used towards improvement works
associated with the amalgamation of Grange
Park School; and
2) Approved the capital release requesting £50,000
towards the works, as outlined in Appendix A of
the associated report.
Reason for decision In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, the allocation
of Section 106 (S106) funds is required to be formally
approved by the Cabinet Member for Finance &
Transformation on a case- by-case basis – and any capital
release, in conjunction with the relevant Cabinet portfolio
holder. This report requests the approval for the S106 funds
held at the case reference detailed in this report to be
committed as outlined in this report.
The Local Authority acknowledges that schools undergoing
amalgamation may require specific capital investment to
Executive Decision Notice – 24 February 2026
This notice is a public document also available to view on the Council's website www.hillingdon.gov.uk
modify their facilities specifically as a result of
amalgamation. To support this, a capital grant of up to
£50,000 is being proposed to contribute towards essential
building works, or other capital expenditure directly
associated with the amalgamation process.
Alternative options
considered and rejected
The Cabinet Members may agree to fund the scheme and/
or suggest alternative projects to which funds could be
allocated within the terms of the relevant legal agreements.
If the S106 funds are not allocated to an appropriate
scheme, the unspent funds may need to be refunded.
Classification Part I – Public
Link to associated report Here
Relevant Officer contact
& Directorate
Nikki Wyatt – Residents Services Directorate
Gary Binstead – Children’s Services Directorate
Any interest declared by
the Cabinet Member(s) /
dispensation granted
N/A
Implementation of decision & scrutiny call-in
[Internal Use only]
When can this
decision be
implemented by
officers?
Officers can implement Cabinet Member decision in this notice only
from the expiry of the scrutiny call-in period which is:
5pm on Tuesday 03 March 2026
However, this is subject to the decision not being called in by
Councillors on the relevant Select Committee. Upon receipt of a
valid call-in request, Democratic Services will immediately advise
the relevant officer(s) and the decision must then be put on hold.
Councillor scrutiny
call-in of this
decision
Councillors on the relevant Select Committee shown in this notice
may request to call-in this decision. The request must be before the
expiry of the scrutiny call-in period above.
Councillors should use the Scrutiny Call-in App (link below) on their
devices to initiate any call-in request. Further advice can be sought
from Democratic Services if required:
Scrutiny Call-In - Power Apps (secure)
Executive Decision Notice – 24 February 2026
This notice is a public document also available to view on the Council's website www.hillingdon.gov.uk
Further information These decisions, where applicable, have been taken under The
Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access
to Information) (England) Regulations 2012.
This is the formal notice by the Council of the above executive
decision, including links to the reports where applicable.
If you would like more information on this decision, please contact
Democratic Services on 01895 250636 or email:
democratic@hillingdon.gov.uk.
Circulation of this decision notice is to a variety of people including
Members of the Council, Corporate Directors, Officers, Group
Secretariats and the Public. Copies are also placed on the
Council’s website.
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