Hillingdon Council Cabinet Member and Officer Decisions
NEW ALLOCATION & CAPITAL RELEASE OF S106 CONTRIBUTIONS 2026/27: PRIMARY SCHOOLS AMALGAMATION PROJECT – HAREFIELD SCHOOLS – CR 2
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Democratic Services Location: Phase II Ext: 0185 DDI: 01895 250185 CMD No: 2026/1721 To: COUNCILLOR STEVE TUCKWELL LEADER OF THE COUNCIL COUNCILLOR EDDIE LAVERY CABINET MEMBER FOR FINANCE COUNCILLOR SUSAN O’BRIEN CABINET MEMBER FOR ADULTS, CHILDREN, HEALTH & CARE c.c. All Members of th e Residents’ Services 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 c.c. Gary Binstead, Children’s Services c.c. Ward Councillors for Harefield Village Date: 29 June 2026 Non-Key Decision request Form D NEW ALLOCATION & CAPITAL RELEASE OF S106 CONTRIBUTIONS 2026/27: PRIMARY SCHOOLS AMALGAMATION PROJECT – HAREFIELD SCHOOLS – CR 2 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 07 July 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. Liz Penny Democratic Services Officer Title of Report: New Allocation & Capital Release of S106 Contributions 2026/27: Primary Schools Amalgamation Project – Harefield Schools – CR 2 Decision made: Reasons for your decision: (e.g. as stated in report) Alternatives considered and rejected: (e.g. as stated in report) Signed ……………………………………………………… Date…………………….. Leader of the Council / Cabinet Member for Finance / Ca binet Member for Adults, Children, Health & Care Cabinet Member Report – 29 June 2026 Page 1 (Part 1 Public) NEW ALLOCATION & CAPITAL RELEASE OF S106 CONTRIBUTIONS 2026/27: PRIMARY SCHOOLS AMALGAMATION PROJECT – HAREFIELD SCHOOLS – CR 2 Cabinet Member & Portfolio Cllr Steve Tuckwell – Leader of the Council Councillor Eddie Lavery – Cabinet Member for Finance Councillor Susan O’Brien – Cabinet Member for Adults, Children, Health & Care Responsible Officer Dan Kennedy – Corporate Director of Residents Services Julie Kelly – Corporate Director Children Services Report Author & Directorate Nikki Wyatt & Gary Binstead – Residents Services / Children’s Services Directorate Papers with report Appendix A – Capital release requests for approval Appendix B – Details of S106 contributions HEADLINES Summary To seek Cabinet Member approval to allocate and release funds from the S106 contribution held at EYL/253/607A & EYL/245/40K towards costs associated with the amalgamation of Harefield Infant & Junior schools, 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 Residents’ Services Select Committee Ward(s) Harefield Village RECOMMENDATIONS That the Leader of the Council, in consultation with the Cabinet Members: Cabinet Member Report – 29 June 2026 Page 2 (Part 1 Public) 1) Approve the allocation and spend of £50,000 from the S106 contributions held at EYL/253/607A and EYL/245/40K to be used towards improvement works associated with the amalgamation of Harefield schools; and 2) Approve the capital release requesting £ 50,000 towards the works, as outlined in Appendix A to this report. 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 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 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 has the delegated authority to allocate funds from S106 planning obligation monies. Both the Cabinet Member for Adult s, Children, Health & Care , and the Cabinet Member for Planning, Housing & Property have been consulted and endorse the proposal. Select Committee comments None at this stage. SUPPORTING INFORMATION 1. 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. Cabinet Member Report – 29 June 2026 Page 3 (Part 1 Public) 2. Any S106 monies generated from planning agreements must be spent on their intended purpose and ensure that the associated development contributes to the sustainability of the area by addressing the impacts of the development proposals. As a result, expendi ture 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. 3. School Amalgamation Programme 4. 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 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. 5. 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 Harefield schools. The quotes provided by Harefield schools for works directly related to the amalgamation slightly exceeds the maximum grant available, so officers will be applying for the full £50,000. 6. 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. Harefield schools: 7. Cabinet approved the proposal to amalgamate Harefield Infant School and Harefield Junior school in September 2025. This process followed the statutory guidance Making significant changes to maintained schools and Opening and closing maintained schools and the school will open as a primary school for pupils aged 3 to 11 in April 2026. Proposed S106 allocation 8. This report requests that £50,000 from the s106 education contributions held at case reference EYL/253/607A and EYL/245/40K as outlined in Appendix B, is allocated and spent towards works associated with the amalgamation of Harefield Infant and Junior Schools. The funding will enable essential building works, or other capital expenditure directly associated with the amalgamation process for Harefield schools. Table 1 below provides an indicative set of works and costs amounting to £50,000.00. The school wil l 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. Cabinet Member Report – 29 June 2026 Page 4 (Part 1 Public) Table 1: Cost Plan Description Amount IT Services for school merger 3,800 Entrance Doors and Alterations 32,197 Signage 12,715 CCTV works 1,288 Total £50,000 9. It is considered that the proposed works will enhance the provision at the Harefield schools as a direct result of the amalgamation of Harefield Infant School and Harefield Junior school, delivering long term viability for the future of the school. 10. With Harefield Infant School and Harefield Junior S chool amalgamating to become Harefield Infant and Junior School in April 2026 there will be eight pairs of Infant and Junior schools in Hillingdon. It is intended that any future school amalgamations that come forward in line with the policy will also be f unded from S106 education contributions where appropriate (or other revenue streams) up to the value of £50,000. Financial Implications S106 2026/27 Budget £276k; Previously Released £50k; Capital Release Requested £50k - Appendix A The report seeks the allocation and capital release of £50k from t wo S106 contributions as detailed in the table below: - S106 Funding Reference S106 Details Amount Time Limit to Spend EYL/253/607A South Ruislip Library, Plot B, Victoria Road, Ruislip 27,606.81 N/A EYL/245/40K The Old Vinyl Factory, Blyth Road 22,393.19 Feb 2032 Total 50,000.00 The two S106 contributions are to be used towards the amalgamation of Harefield 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 agreements on the intended use of the S106 contributions. The remaining £176 k of the S106 contribution held at EYL/ 245/40K is subject to the S106 allocation and capital release process. Cabinet Member Report – 29 June 2026 Page 5 (Part 1 Public) 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 f inancial Implications set out above, noting the recommendation to allocate £50k S106 contributions toward improvement works associated with the amalgamation of Harefield Infant and Junior Schools. Furthermore, it is noted that Capital Release of the £50k 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. Legal Legal Services have considered the content of the Section 106 agreement s referred to in this report and conclude 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. Cabinet Member Report – 29 June 2026 Page 6 (Part 1 Public) 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 Cabinet Member Report – 29 June 2026 Page 7 (Part 1 Public) CAPITAL RELEASE APPENDIX A S106 Capital Release 202 6/27: Capital Funding for Amalgamated Schools – Harefield Schools CR 2 Location Project/ Expenditure Title Information Funds Release Sought £000’s Approve Hold More Information Required Harefield schools Capital Funding for Amalgamate d Schools Contribution towards capital expenditure related to the amalgamation of Harefield Infant School and Harefield Junior school 50 Total seeking release 50 Previously released 50 Budget 276 Remaining budget 176 Cabinet Member Report – 29 June 2026 Page 8 (Part 1 Public) APPENDIX B - DETAILS OF S106 CONTRIBUTION TO BE ALLOCATED
View Decision / Minutes Text
Executive Decision Notice – 7 July 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 2026/27: PRIMARY SCHOOLS
AMALGAMATION PROJECT – HAREFIELD SCHOOLS – CR
2
Reference No. 2026/1721
Date of decision Tuesday 7 July 2026
Call-in expiry date Tuesday 14 July 2026
Relevant Select
Committee
Residents’ Services Select Committee.
Relevant Wards Harefield Village
Decision made
Cabinet Members making
the decision
Councillor Steve Tuckwell - Leader of the Council
Councillor Eddie Lavery – Cabinet Member for Finance
Councillor Susan O’Brien – Cabinet Member for Adults,
Children, Health & Care
Decision Agreed
That the Leader of the Council, in consultation with the
Cabinet Members:
1) Approved t he allocation and spend of £50,000
from the S106 contributions held at EYL/253/607A
and EYL/245/40K to be used towards
improvement works associated with the
amalgamation of Harefield schools; and
2) Approved the capital release requesting £ 50,000
towards the works, as outlined in Appendix A to
the report.
Reason for decision The Cabinet Members acknowledge 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 was agreed to contribute towards essential building
works, or other capital expenditure directly associated with
the amalgamation process.
Alternative options
considered and rejected
The Cabinet Members could have suggest alternative
projects to which funds could be allocated within the terms
of the relevant legal agreements. If the S106 funds were not
Executive Decision Notice – 7 July 2026
This notice is a public document also available to view on the Council's website www.hillingdon.gov.uk
allocated to an appropriate scheme, the unspent funds may
have need to be refunded.
Classification Part I - Public
Link to associated report Report can be found here
Relevant Officer contact
& Directorate
Nikki Wyatt & Gary Binstead – Residents Services /
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 14 July 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
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expiry of the scrutiny call-in period above.
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from Democratic Services if required:
Scrutiny Call-In - Power Apps (secure)
Executive Decision Notice – 7 July 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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