At Somerset Council’s Full Council meeting, Glastonbury Conservative councillor Susannah Hart raised concerns over the ongoing situation involving unpaid tradesmen owed significant sums for work undertaken on the Life Factory project in Glastonbury - part of the Government’s Town Deal programme.
Cllr Hart said:
“There are still many unpaid tradesmen in Glastonbury owed significant sums of money for work undertaken on the Life Factory Project. We are all aware that the audit is still ongoing and that, despite repeated requests, no specific end date has been given. To be frank it seems unlikely that these tradesmen will ever be paid. Indeed, it is highly likely that sooner or later some or all of the creditors will choose to sue.”
Cllr Hart asked the administration to clarify:
- Whether any further payments have been made by Somerset Council to The Red Brick Building Centre Ltd or its subsidiary Beckery Construction Company Ltd.
- When the audit into the Life Factory project will be completed, given the ongoing lack of a confirmed end date.
- Whether land purchased for the Glastonbury Food and Regenerative Farming Centre — another Town Deal project — could be at risk if the Red Brick Building Centre Ltd or Beckery Construction Company Ltd are sued by creditors.
In response, Cllr Mike Rigby, the Liberal Democrat Lead Member for Economic Development, Planning and Assets, confirmed that:
- Whilst no further Town Deal grant payments have been made to either company, an additional £20,812 one-off financial support grant was awarded earlier this year to the Red Brick Building Centre Ltd to help close their accounts.
- The audit work is drawing to a close, with a “Lessons Learned” report expected in October, followed by an Executive report in November which is “likely to be confidential.”
- The land for the Food and Regenerative Farming Centre is an asset of the Red Brick Building Centre Ltd, but Somerset Council holds a legal charge over it, registered with the Land Registry, restricting how the land can be used.
Cllr Hart said her questions reflected the frustration felt across Glastonbury that small local businesses are still waiting for justice and transparency.
