The deputy leader of Somerset Council, Councillor Liz Leyshon, has been officially cleared of any conflict of interest related to the troubled Life Factory regeneration project in Glastonbury.
The Life Factory project forms part of the wider £23.6 million Glastonbury Town Deal, focusing on redeveloping the derelict ‘Building C’ at the Red Brick Building on Morland Road into community spaces, offices, and event facilities. Despite ambition, the project has encountered significant difficulties, including the liquidation of Beckery Construction Company Ltd., the firm responsible for delivering the £2.89 million scheme, in early November 2023. In January 2024, Somerset Council paused the government grant funding, although some funds were allocated to apprenticeships. A recent audit by Grant Thornton highlighted the project’s governance as “wholly inadequate,” prompting a public apology from Council Chief Executive Duncan Sharkey.
Following a complaint filed by local resident David Orr, who is known for scrutinizing the council’s finances, the council’s monitoring officer, Alyn Jones, conducted an independent review into Councillor Leyshon’s involvement. Orr claimed that Leyshon failed to disclose an interest in the Life Factory project during council discussions, potentially breaching key public life principles such as integrity, openness, and accountability.
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All elected councillors are required to declare relevant interests, including property ownership, business shareholdings, or memberships in certain organisations, and keep their register of interests current. Councillor Leyshon, who represents the Street division adjacent to Glastonbury, is listed as a member of the Glastonbury Town Deal Board and the Friends of Brides Mound, the latter overseeing a separate regeneration project within the same initiative.
The audit found all town deal board members had declared their relevant interests but noted the council made no further inquiries into the potential impact of those declarations—a significant governance oversight.
Mr. Jones clarified that the Glastonbury Town Deal Board acts only in an advisory capacity and is independent of the council’s official governance, with board membership determined by national government. He confirmed that Councillor Leyshon has never been a member or shareholder of the Red Brick Building Centre Ltd., the organisation receiving the Life Factory grant. As such, her role does not constitute a prejudicial interest, and her participation in related council meetings does not violate the Local Government Association’s code of conduct.
Councillor Leyshon declined to comment on the outcome of the investigation.