Renaisi has been working with London Borough of Hackney in reviewing their existing approach to Section 106 (s106) allocation, resulting in the implementation of a restructured process.
Section 106 is part of the planning legislation and ensures any social impacts caused by a development, residential, commercial or otherwise is offset by either a financial contribution or an in-kind arrangement to benefit the affected community. Such contributions and arrangements are managed by the local council and include supporting youth clubs, building new community facilities to financial support for local heath and educational centres.
Following an Internal Audit of s106 in 2007 a number of key recommendations provided the impetus to revise the existing process and incorporate the broader Government shift to enable s106 agreements to contribute toward the delivery of Sustainable Communities Strategy and Local Development Framework.
One of the key features of the new Hackney approach has been the creation of a Project Bank which ensures funding is allocated in accordance with the s106 agreement as well as aligning to Council priorities.
To support the new process, a tool kit of templates and guidance has been established, a reporting procedure which has brought s106 allocation in line with similar scale Council programmes and a new Governance Board to ensure all s106 agreements are appropriately applied.
Restructuring and establishing the s106 Programme has sought not only to overcome the historic issues experienced by the borough but to implement a sustainable, transparent and strategic process which also incorporates the future shifts in planning policy
