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Issue - meetings

Section 106 Task and Finish Group Report 2026

 

 

Meeting: 24/03/2026 - Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Item 77)

77 SECTION 106 TASK AND FINISH GROUP REPORT pdf icon PDF 22 KB

REPORT OF THE S106 TASK AND FINISH GROUP

 

The report details the Task and Finish Group’s review of North Herts' application of the Section 106 (s106) mechanism for securing developer contributions from new development and provides an overview of the assessment undertaken and recommendations identified.

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED: That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee:

 

(1)         Noted the content of the report and its recommendations.

 

(2)         Provided comment on the proposed recommendations and confirmed which recommendations were to be recommended to Cabinet.

 

RECOMMENDED TO CABINET: That recommendations 1-8, as detailed in Appendix A to the report, be considered by Cabinet.

 

REASON FOR RECOMMENDATION: To enable the Overview and Scrutiny Committee the opportunity to scrutinise the s106 Task and Finish Group report and to consider which recommendations should be considered by Cabinet.

Minutes:

Audio recording – 2 hours 9 minutes 5 seconds

 

Councillor Ralph Muncer, as Chair of the Section 106 Task and Finish Group, presented the report entitled ‘Section 106 Task and Finish Group Report’ and advised that:

 

·                The Local Plan adopted in 2022 would deliver 13,000 homes across the district, and reformed Government policies would only add to the burden to deliver housing.

·                Communities deserved infrastructure that accompanied housing developments.

·                The report provided a review of the current mechanism for S106 contributions, assessed whether it was fit for purpose and made recommendations to improve it.

·                A disconnect between the Council and its communities on infrastructure priorities had been identified, and the recommendations would make communities feel that they were more involved.

·                Other Members of the S106 Task and Finish Group, the Director – Place, Development and Conservation Manager, Hertfordshire County Council Officers, the Scrutiny Officer and the Committee, Member and Scrutiny Manager should be thanked for their support and contributions towards the group.

·                S106 contributions was a broad policy area, and they had tried to address this through focused recommendations, that would deal with its issues directly.

 

The following Members asked questions:

 

·                Councillor Claire Winchester

·                Councillor Elizabeth Dennis

·                Councillor Vijaiya Poopalasingham

·                Councillor David Chalmers

·                Councillor Jon Clayden

·                Councillor Paul Ward

 

In response to questions, Councillor Ralph Muncer advised that:

 

·                Lessons could be learned from the workings of the group to help inform the workings of any future task and finish groups.

·                It had been disappointing to see a lack of consultation responses, particularly from some parties like the NHS Integrated Care Board, therefore, unilateral engagement might be needed.

·                It was accepted that the roles of Community Partnership Officers would have to be reprioritised to deliver the proposed recommendations as resourcing was an issue.

·                S106 training in recommendation 3 could potentially be offered to Members as well, and communication reporting would keep them better informed about S106 funding.

·                There was an organisational readiness and excitement to engage in this proposed new process, as it would have the potential to deliver real benefits to communities now and in the future. However, the focus of engagement as part of this had been with Senior Officers, who had highlighted concerns about resourcing, and it would be for Cabinet to consider whether this would be an appropriate use of Community Partnership Officers.

·                Engagement had taken place with Community Partnership Officers. However, more work would be required to explore what the training provided would look like and that it would appropriately delivered to support Officers to feel confident in this proposal to support communities. This work would be explored further should the recommendations be adopted by Cabinet.

·                This work would provide resilience to communities ahead of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), and a strong foundation for a new unitary authority to build upon.

·                Chairs of Community Forums had not been consulted on the recommendations, but it had been decided that they would be the best place to consider community infrastructure priorities for unparished areas.

·                Regulations for the S106  ...  view the full minutes text for item 77