Brent Cross Town: funding projects which support local communities

The challenge

Brent Cross Town, an £8 billion regeneration project led by Related Argent in partnership with  Barnet Council, has a longstanding commitment to community investment. Since 2018 grassroots organisations have been supported through the Brent Cross Community Fund in partnership with ActionFunder. With Section 106 budget available for employment and skills, Related Argent and Barnet Council were eager to develop a solution that aligned with their commitment to community engagement, maximised impact, and ensured transparency in how the funds were allocated.

The solution: Brent Cross Town Community Fund

Integral to the S106 agreement was supporting individuals facing barriers to employment. However, delivering a direct employment programme in-house would require significant expertise and resources. 

To generate the greatest value within the community, Related Argent and Barnet Council used a tried and tested grant funding model as one of the most effective ways to support employment initiatives. Rather than limiting themselves to on-site construction training, they broadened the scope of the agreement to include funding community-led projects that provided skills development and pathways to employment.

By integrating the S106 funding into their existing Brent Cross Town Community Fund, Brent Cross Town ensured funds reached organisations with the expertise to deliver employment support with a streamlined approach. 

ActionFunder provided the infrastructure to distribute grants efficiently, reducing administrative burden while ensuring transparency. The platform’s participatory tools enabled community representatives to be involved in decision-making, reinforcing Brent Cross Town’s commitment to community-led investment.

Brent Cross Town ensured their investment was both strategic and impactful. This model demonstrates how developers can use grant funding to meet planning obligations while empowering communities to drive long-term social change.

“We take great pride in supporting and empowering our local communities at Brent Cross Town. By integrating Section 106 funding into our community fund, we established a simple and transparent way to create a positive impact in the community. With Barnet Council’s support, the model has created lasting opportunities and has empowered the community to thrive, which is vital for sustainable growth“

• Morwenna Hall, Executive Director and COO at Related Argent

“It’s great to see Section 106 funds being utilised in such an innovative way, supporting education and skills-focused community projects that have an impact locally. The variety and quality of projects that were delivered through the funding was impressive“

• John Bryson, Head of Economy and Skills, Barnet Council

Learn more about how we can help you transform unspent Section 106 & CIL funds into community impact.

As a property developer, local councillor, and community investment expert, our Founder Mark Shearer understands the unique challenges and opportunities.