Hillingdon Council Cabinet Member and Officer Decisions
S106 New Allocation 2026/27: Christmas and Festive Lights 2026
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Democratic Services Location: Phase II DDI: 01895 250185 CMD No: 2026/1812 To: COUNCILLOR EDDIE LAVERY CABINET MEMBER FOR FINANCE COUNCILLOR WAYNE BRIDGES CABINET MEMBER FOR RESIDENTS SERVICES c.c. All Members of the Residents’ Services Select Committee c.c. Dan Kennedy, Corporate Director of Residents Services c.c. Sophie Wilmot, Transport & Community P rojects Team Leader Date: 29 September 2026 Non-Key Decision request Form D S106 New Allocation 2026/27: Christmas & Festive Lights 2026 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 Wednesday 7 October 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 Title of Report: S106 New Allocation 2026/27: Christmas & Festive Lights 2026 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 / Cabinet Member for Residents Services Executive Decision Report Cabinet Member 25 September 2026 Classification: Part 1 Public Page 1 S106 New Allocation 2026/27: Christmas & Festive Lights 2026 Cabinet Member Lead Cabinet Member for Finance (Cllr Lavery) Consulting Cabinet Member Cabinet Member for Residents Services (Cllr Bridges) Chief Officer responsible Corporate Director of Residents Services Report author Sophie Wilmot, Transport & Community Projects Team Leader Report classification and reason Public Relevant Committee Residents' Services Electoral Ward Multiple Wards 1. Executive Summary Approval is sought for the 2026 Christmas Lights Programme, with a total budget of £169,814, funded through a combination of £130,711 in Section 106 (S106) contributions, C ouncil funding, sponsorship, and community contributions. The programme will deliver festive lighting across 25 locations borough-wide, including 21 C ouncil-managed schemes and four community -managed schemes. S106 contributions relate to specific planning agreements and must be spent in accordance with the corresponding legal agreements. The recommendation will enable S106 funds accrued through new development to be spent to maximum effect for local communities in accordance with the legal agreement and Council priorities. The report recommends awarding £37,370 in grants to community organisations in Ickenham, Northwood, Northwood Hills and Ruislip Manor to manage their own displays, while the C ouncil will oversee the remaining schemes through Event Power Engineering. Christmas lights and tree displays are recognised as an important community asset that enhance town centres, support local businesses, increase footfall, and contribute to residents' enjoyment of the festive season. External sponsorship of £10,000 has already been secured, reducing the C ouncil's financial contribution, and officers will continue to seek further sponsorship opportunities. The proposals ensure the continuation of a popular borough- wide festive lighting programme while making effective use of available S106 funding. Executive Decision Report Cabinet Member 25 September 2026 Classification: Part 1 Public Page 2 2. Recommendation(s) That the Cabinet Member for Finance, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Residents Services: 1) Approves the allocation of £ 130,711 of the S106 contribution held at E/153/283K to be used for the provision of the Council’s festive lighting for 2026. 2) Approves the direct award of grants of £37,370 to four local community organisations to manage their own festive lighting for 2026. 3) Approves, for 2026, the total Christmas lights programme cost of £ 168,081 including, but not limited: to the lighting displays; Christmas Trees; publicity; contractor costs and licences. 3. Reasons for decision In accordance with the C ouncil’s Constitution, the allocation of 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 case reference , E/153/283K to the provision of the 2026 festive light programme as detailed in this report. The recommendations outlined in this report will enable external S106 funds to be spent to maximum effect to provide viable improvements for the benefit of local communities. High-quality Christmas lighting displays play a vital role in fostering civic pride and creating a positive, festive atmosphere for residents and businesses, particularly during the darker winter months. The 2026 programme aims to continue this tradition by delivering displays across 25 town and neighbourhood centres, contributing to community wellbeing and local vibrancy. The recommendations in this report, support the Council’s priority of being open for business, as it enhances and boosts the Council’s local town centres in the run up to the festive period. Both the Cabinet Member for Residents Services, and the Cabinet Member for Planning, Housing & Property have been consulted and endorse the proposal. 4. Proposal 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 Executive Decision Report Cabinet Member 25 September 2026 Classification: Part 1 Public Page 3 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 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. Proposed S106 allocation This report requests that £131,711 from the Social & Environmental Contribution received from the redevelopment of RAF Uxbridge ( now St Andrews Park ) and outlined in Appendix A, is allocated and spent towards works associated with the provision of C ouncil’s Christmas Lights Programme 2026 as outlined below. The Programme is an important project in the community , creating a positive, festive atmosphere for residents and businesses in the Borough. The 2026 programme will deliver displays across 25 town and neighbourhood centres, contributing to community wellbeing and local vibrancy. Christmas Lights programme 2026 Christmas lighting displays are highly valued and appreciated by residents and businesses, playing an important part of how Christmas is celebrated in town and neighbourhood centres. Since 2021, 24/7 Christmas lighting schemes have been supported by the council for residents to enjoy and to add sparkle to high streets and shopping parades within all wards across the Borough and it is proposed this will continue. Traditionally, the Christmas light switch -on has acted as a significant event in terms of encouraging greater footfall and local spending, at a time when many small independent retailers are struggling with the competition from online shopping. They provide a boost for high street businesses and encourage additional footfall especially in the early evening. It is proposed that the 2026 Christmas lighting programme, will have 21 schemes which are directly managed by the c ouncil and four schemes which are organised independently by community or business representatives. For these community-led schemes, Leader and Cabinet Member authorisation is sought for direct grant awards to the organisations, totalling £37,370.40, as follows: • Ickenham – Ickenham Festival Team: £8,414.10 • Northwood – Northwood Residents Association: £9,947.10 • Northwood Hills – Northwood Hills Residents Association: £8,872.10 Executive Decision Report Cabinet Member 25 September 2026 Classification: Part 1 Public Page 4 • Ruislip Manor – Ruislip Manor Chamber of Commerce: £10,137.10 It is proposed to use Event Power Engineering to deliver the 21 C ouncil led schemes, at a total cost of £95,110. The lighting features will be leased from the company, and they will be responsible for any issues or damage which may occur during the festive period. The costs to Event Power Engineering also include attendance at mock and real switch on events to ensure this run as smoothly as possible. Full details of all the lighting schemes to be supported across the borough are provided in the table below: Ward Scheme Location Belmore Belmore Parade, Uxbridge Road Charville Hayes End Parade, Uxbridge Road Charville Kingshill Avenue Colham & Cowley / Hillingdon East / Hillingdon West Crescent Parade Eastcote Eastcote Town Centre Harefield Village Harefield Village Hayes Town Hayes Town Centre Heathrow Villages Harlington High Street Heathrow Villages Harmondsworth Village Hillingdon East Blenheim Parade, Uxbridge Road Hillingdon East Byron Parade, Uxbridge Road Hillingdon East Hillingdon Circus Hillingdon East Marlborough Parade, Uxbridge Road Hillingdon East New Broadway Parade, Uxbridge Road Pinkwell North Hyde Road Ruislip Ruislip Town Centre South Ruislip South Ruislip Uxbridge Uxbridge Town Centre Uxbridge Civic Centre Forecourt Yeading Yeading Lane Parade Yiewsley / West Drayton Yiewsley & West Drayton Prior to proposing the leasing of the lights for the 2026 festive period, o fficers looked into the purchase of the lights. Unfortunately, these considerations proved to be less cost effective than the current arrangement with Event Power Engineering. Executive Decision Report Cabinet Member 25 September 2026 Classification: Part 1 Public Page 5 The current cont ract with Event Power Engineering ends following the 2026 period so o fficers propose to review options which could be considered to deliver the 2027 festive lights, in the most cost effective and efficient way as possible. The Christmas trees will be procured from a specialist supplier, Elveden Farms Ltd at a total cost of £13,990. Efforts were made to obtain alternative quotations; however, the suppliers approached were unable to meet the specific requirements of the project. Elveden Farms has been used by the London Borough of Hillingdon since 2021, providing consistency and reliability in the supply of suitable trees. Funding for Community Lighting Programmes The community -led schemes appoint their own preferred contractor, and this is continually reviewed against the C ouncil’s own benchmarks to ensure that best value has been achieved. The MTFS savings proposal considered the need to continue funding these schemes , and a budget of £37,000 was retained to fund them at this time, although sponsorship contributions will continue to be sought to offset these costs to the council. The table below details the location and costs of the community-led lighting schemes: Ward Scheme Location Proposed Grant Ickenham & South Harefield Ickenham Village £8,414 Northwood Northwood Town Centre £9,947 Northwood Hills Northwood Hills £8,872 Ruislip Manor Ruislip Manor £10,137 TOTAL £37,370 Total Funding breakdown The table below sets out all the costs associated with delivering the proposed festive light programme for 2026. Component 2026 Cost Event Power Engineering (estimated one-year contract cost) £95,110 Community partners Christmas displays (grants) £37,370 LBH street lighting infrastructure & highways costs £5,650 Christmas trees £13,990 Publicity, Christmas tree barriers, and banners £13,461 Executive Decision Report Cabinet Member 25 September 2026 Classification: Part 1 Public Page 6 Licences £2,500 Total £168,081 Sponsorship Officers have been actively seeking sponsorship from companies towards the festive lights programme and so far, have secured £5,000 from SEGRO and an estimated £3,000 contribution from community partners, reducing the £37, 000 council contribution to £2 9,000. Officers will continue to have these conversations with companies, to reduce the burden on both council funds and S106, where possible. 5. Corporate implications Financial (mandatory) Y Equalities impact assessment Legal (mandatory) Y Workforce Alternative options (mandatory) Y Public Health Risk management (mandatory) Y External partners Heathrow Expansion Communications Asset Committee comments Procurement & contract social value Y Digital Planning Y Other Climate Change a) Financial The report seeks the allocation of £131k from the S106 contribution held at E/153/283K relating to RAF Uxbridge (St Andrews Park), Hillingdon Road, Uxbridge. The funds are to be used towards the 2026 Festive Lights throughout the Borough. The total cost of the festive lights scheme is £168k which is to be funded as follows:- Funding Breakdown Funding Source Amount (£’000s) S106 131 SEGRO 5 Community Partners 3 Revenue – Council Resources 29 Total 168 Executive Decision Report Cabinet Member 25 September 2026 Classification: Part 1 Public Page 7 The S106 contribution held at E/153/283K meets the conditions stipulated in the S106 agreement and if approved will reduce the call on Council resources. The remaining £319k of the S106 contribution held at E/153/283K is subject to the allocation process. The revenue element of the Christmas lights programme can be accommodated within existing revenue budgets and is not expected to create any additional budget pressure. b) Legal The proposed allocation of Section 106 funding is subject to the relevant planning obligation and must be applied in accordance with the terms of the S.106 agreement. Officers have confirmed that sufficient funds are available under S106 agreement reference E/153/283K and that the proposed expenditure towards the 2026 Festive Lights Programme falls within the scope of the Social and Environmental Contribution and is capable of being lawfully applied for that purpose. Approval of the allocation of S106 monies must be in accordance with the Council's Constitution. Provided the funding is used for the purposes identified in this report and in accordance with the relevant planning obligation, there are no further direct legal implications arising from the recommendations. Legal Services has reviewed the report and raises no objection to the recommendations. c) Planning S106 implications covered elsewhere within the report. d) Procurement The use of contractors outlined in the report have been discussed with Procurement. Procurement have approved the use of the one -year extension of the contract with Event Power Engineering which was tendered for last year. Executive Decision Report Cabinet Member 25 September 2026 Classification: Part 1 Public Page 8 e) Alternative options Alternative Options Rationale for rejecting option Option A – Identify alternative projects to which the funds could be allocated The proposals accord with the purpose for which the S106 funding has been secured and will ensure the council’s festive lighting programme can be delivered which supports town centres and local shopping parades in line with the C ouncil’s Growth Plan. Do nothing Funding for the festive lighting programme would have to identified from other resources , placing pressure on the Council’s budget or the activity would have to cease. Cease activity The benefits to residents and businesses identified would not be realised. f) Risk management Risk Mitigation Failure to secure lighting to meet timeline Ongoing pre-engagement with term contractor and amending of scheme if required. Failure to spend S106 allocation in accordance with the legal agreement Spend proposals are checked and approved by the planning team and legal services. 6. Consultation & engagement None required. 7. Timetable for implementation This report is being deemed urgent. The urgency arises from the tight time constraints to deliver the festive lighting programme for Christmas 2026 on time, with the need to order both the lights and the trees no later than the last week of September. The project is operating under a compressed timeline, impacted by the consideration of alternative measures to deliver the 2026 festive lighting programme. List of appendices attached Appendix A: Details of S106 contribution to be allocated Executive Decision Report Cabinet Member 25 September 2026 Classification: Part 1 Public Page 9 List of Background Papers NIL. Executive Decision Report Cabinet Member 25 September 2026 Classification: Part 1 Public Page 10 Appendix A Details of S106 contribution from which funds are to be allocated Public Appendix For General Release