Urban Forecast How to unblock the system of community funding with Mark Shearer
Urban Forecast sits down with Mark Shearer, CEO and Co-founder of ActionFunder and a councillor for Westminster. With a rare dual perspective spanning politics, community impact and the built environment, Mark breaks down the staggering inefficiencies in the UK’s grant-giving and planning systems and explains why billions in community funding remain stuck in local authority accounts.
He shares how ActionFunder is reframing the relationship between developers, councils and local communities through transparency, technology and real-time reporting. From the future of Section 106 and CIL, to trust in development, to the political dynamics shaping planning decisions, this conversation explores how cities could work very differently, and why now is the best time for businesses to deliver genuine social value.
About ActionFunder:
ActionFunder is the grant management platform revolutionising community investment. Built with funders and driven by AI, it streamlines the funding process, reduces admin and costs and delivers money directly into community projects.
Designed for organisations that want to give with purpose and prove their impact, ActionFunder enables smarter, faster, more transparent grant giving. Users can launch branded funds, connect with local projects that align with their goals and access real-time impact reports that support ESG, CSR and social value objectives.
With over 17,000 self-enrolled community projects across the UK actively accessing funds through the platform, ActionFunder is redefining how businesses give back.
Smarter funding. Real impact.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- There is over £8 billion of unspent Section 106 and CIL funds across UK local authorities, largely due to strained resources and inefficient manual processes.
- 46% of grants cost more to distribute than they are worth, highlighting the need for streamlined, tech-enabled alternatives.
- ActionFunder creates transparent, real-time tracking of community spending, enabling businesses, councils and communities to see exactly where funding goes and what outcomes it delivers.
- Developers could rebuild public trust by directly funding local benefits, provided transparency and oversight are in place.
- Community voice is ultimately the biggest influence in planning, often outweighing developer lobbying.
- Political cycles create uncertainty, but cross-party pragmatism in local government is more common than people assume.
- Design ambition in central London has declined, driven by financial pressures, sustainability debates, and risk-averse planning.
- Certainty and clarity in planning policy remain the greatest incentives for delivering high-quality, innovative buildings.
BEST MOMENTS
- “There’s never been a better time for a company to be delivering social value.”
- “There’s £8 billion of unspent Section 106 and CIL in UK local authorities. It’s eye-watering.”
- “The community voice is critical. Developers need to engage directly, not just think councillors are the gatekeepers.”
- “If we use technology, there is an opportunity for developers to take responsibility for distributing that money and create real public benefit.”
VALUABLE RESOURCES
https://www.ackroydlowrie.com
EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT
The 1 percent housing trap with Chris Worrall
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2ujFO3E_RA
Why London Stopped Building with Nick Cuff
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coDPAozDmoM
ABOUT THE HOSTS
Jon Ackroyd and Oliver Lowrie, t