Decision details

The committee considered a report on the Children and Families Capital Programme - School Condition Programme 2026/27.

Members were updated that Cheshire East Council’s Facilities Management Team worked along side partner organisation EQANS to carry out works to schools and checked that value for money was being delivered. It was noted that as part of the plan, a £250,000 fire alarm was to being installed in a school – this was noted as a large sum of money, but it was essential for the safety of students and teachers in a large high school.

It was noted that the 20% figure detailed in the recommendation was a standard amount and avoided the need for each decision on repairs to be approved by committee; however, for any larger sums of money, the decision would be referred to committee. Members were updated that S106 contributions could not be used for improving the condition of schools.

It was noted that lessons had been learned from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme where Air Source Heat Pumps had been installed in some schools as “back-up” heating sources.

It was noted that the Facilities Management Team had carried out an assessment of the Council’s Civic buildings as to whether they could utilise solar panels, but this had not yet been carried out at any of the maintained schools which Cheshire East Council was responsible for.

Members requested further details on the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme lessons learned. Officers committed to provider a written response.

RESOLVED (by Majority):

That the Children and Families Committee:

1. Approve the School Condition Programme of schemes as detailed in Appendix 1.

2. Delegate authority to the Executive Director of Children’s Services to approve uplifts to Project Costs of schemes approved in the School Condition Programme (and the updates received during the financial year) to a maximum of 20% of the approved capital budget. This will ensure that schemes can be progressed in a timely manner and to provide updates to committee as required.

3. Delegate authority to the Executive Director of Children’s Services to determine the school sites and works to be instructed from the block funding allocation set out in Appendix 1 and take all steps to deliver these works.

4. Note the overview of Children and Families Capital Programme which includes current schemes in progress and those completed during 2025/26 as detailed in Appendix 2.

Councillor Emma Gillman left the meeting at the commencement of Item 7 and did not return.