Funding for refurbishment work at three schools earmarked for academies is yet to be confirmed but council bosses have ruled out taxpayers’ money for the schemes.

Hampton Community College (HCC), Whitton School and Shene School are to be turned into academies, with all three set to close on August 31 and open as all-ability schools supported by sponsors the following day.

Earlier this month, new Education Secretary Michael Gove announced there was to be a review of Government investment in school building programmes with every new academy reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Councillor Geoffrey Samuel, Richmond Council deputy leader, said there was no information on whether the money would be forthcoming for the new academies but, whatever the scenario, the Government’s cash is all that is available.

Speaking at a meeting of the council’s cabinet last Monday, he said: “When the Government allocated funding for these projects it made it clear that a fixed sum was available.

“Too often in the past we have seen these projects overrun and hard-pressed local tax-payers are expected to pick up the extra tab – this will not happen this time.

“I am making it very clear as we agree these proposals that if there is any overrun whatsoever Richmond Council will not allow one single penny of local people’s money to be used to meet the shortfall.

“If the project should overrun on cost, and these things often do, then one of two things will happen - either we will simply cut our cloth according to our measure and the necessary modifications will be made or the sponsors can put their hand in their pockets to make up the difference.

“Either way our local taxpayers will be protected.”

Swedish education firm Kunskapsskolan is set to sponsor the new Hampton and Twickenham Academies, replacing HCC and Whitton, while Academies Enterprise Trust is lined up to sponsor the academy at Shene School.

The council is revamping all three schools in a “batched” project and, according to reports when the plans were approved in December 2009, the council should get about £16.4m to refurbish HCC and about £22.1m to rebuild Whitton.

Shene is also likely to be refurbished but the Government has yet to sign off a funding agreement for that site. Latest projections were that there would be about £16.7m to revamp that site. But all sums are now subject to Government clarification.

Councillor Malcolm Eady, Richmond Liberal Democrats’ education and schools spokesman, said he was pleased the message issued by his party - when they were in power - to construction firms had been reiterated.

He added: “Instead of grandstanding to an empty cabinet meeting, Coun Samuel would be far better putting his energy into lobbying the Minister for all the money necessary to rebuild Whitton School and the refurbishment of the other two academies.”