Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, I am requesting the following information relating to Section 106 affordable housing delivery and the involvement of Registered Providers (RPs):

1. How many completed Section 106 affordable housing units (i.e. physically built and ready for occupation) currently remain unsold due to the absence of a contract with a Registered Provider?
There are currently no unsold s106 affordable housing units in the Borough. This has been double checked against Homes England’s database of available s106 sites.

2. How many Section 106 affordable housing units that are either under construction or due to commence construction within the next 12 months are not currently under contract with a Registered Provider?
There are several sites which are currently under discussions between developers with Registered Providers. The Council has a partnership with 8 RPs who operate in the Borough, some of which are still bidding for s106 sites.

3. In total, how many residential development sites that include Section 106 affordable housing have been delayed or stalled in the past three years due to the inability to secure an RP to acquire the affordable units?
None

4. Where no RP has agreed to acquire Section 106 affordable housing units, what alternative solutions has the council implemented? (e.g. payments in lieu, variations to S106 agreements, direct purchase by the council or other delivery mechanisms).
The Developer is given an opportunity to invite other RPs who are not on the Council’s preferred list. Failing this, the Developer would need to provide the Council with evidence as to the reasons why they have not been able to secure an RP and any bids would need to be independently verified. Once it has been verified that the bids were not at an acceptable level, the Council may consider commuted sums in lieu of affordable housing.

5. Does the council currently accept the inclusion of cascade mechanisms in newly negotiated Section 106 agreements to address situations where no RP can be secured?
Yes, as per comments above in No. 4.