Police have confirmed that no further action will be taken against Somerset Council following an extensive fraud investigation into a major regeneration initiative in Glastonbury.
The focus of the inquiry was the Red Brick Building on Morland Road, which underwent significant refurbishment as part of the £23.6 million Glastonbury Town Deal. The scheme aimed to transform the previously derelict ‘Building C’ into a multifunctional space featuring community event venues, offices, and other facilities.
Somerset Council suspended funding for the project in January 2024 after serious concerns emerged regarding its management. Subsequently, the South West Audit Partnership delivered a critical assessment of the project’s oversight in May 2025.
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In October 2025, the council announced that Avon and Somerset Constabulary’s fraud team had initiated a review ahead of any potential criminal proceedings.
Nearly a year later, the police have concluded their investigation without finding sufficient evidence to pursue charges against the council or any involved parties.
Duncan Sharkey, the council’s chief executive, addressed the full council in Bridgwater on Wednesday afternoon (16 September), confirming the police’s decision. He stated: “I just need to inform the council that Avon and Somerset Constabulary has confirmed they will be taking no further action regarding the referral made by SWAP Internal Audit Services Partnership about the Red Brick Building Centre-led Life Factory project in Glastonbury. I wanted members to be aware that we have now been informed of this by the police.”
Mr Sharkey had previously issued a formal apology on behalf of the council in December 2025 for errors made during the project’s management. He also noted that legally, the council was unable to compensate businesses adversely affected by the situation.
Following the investigation, a ‘lessons learned’ report led to the implementation of reforms designed to prevent similar issues in future regeneration projects. These changes include securing match funding in advance and enhancing transparency in decision-making processes.
A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Constabulary reiterated in a separate statement that there was “insufficient evidence of criminality” related to the Life Factory project after almost twelve months of investigation. The spokesperson explained: “In 2025, we received a report from an auditor service on behalf of Somerset Council concerning the funding of the Life Factory renovation project in Glastonbury. Enquiries have been conducted and found no sufficient evidence to warrant further investigation; therefore, no action will be taken.”