Somerset Council’s chief executive, Duncan Sharkey, has publicly admitted that the council mishandled the Glastonbury regeneration project known as the Life Factory. This initiative, part of the £23.6 million Glastonbury town deal, aimed to revitalize the Red Brick Building on Morland Road by converting the derelict ‘Building C’ into multifunctional community space, offices, and other facilities.
Despite the project’s promising start, significant problems soon emerged. Funding was officially paused in January 2024 due to escalating concerns over management. A subsequent investigation by the South West Audit Partnership (SWAP) in May 2025 delivered a harsh critique, highlighting substantial governance and financial mismanagement.
Adding to difficulties, Beckery Construction Company Ltd., the contractor responsible for delivering the £2.89 million project, went into liquidation in early November, further complicating progress. Auditor Grant Thornton revealed that during the funding pause, the council had still disbursed £420,000 to cover apprenticeships and essential repairs to keep the Red Brick Building weatherproof and functional.
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Local residents and businesses have expressed outrage. Taunton resident Brenda Orr condemned the council for leaving suppliers unpaid despite their work being completed in good faith under the council’s oversight. Grant Thornton’s report uncovered “wholly inadequate” governance, financial controls, and oversight mechanisms, condemning the council for failing to confirm the completion of work properly and for processing payments out of step with grant funding agreements.
The report issued three formal statutory recommendations (‘red cards’), one specifically targeting Life Factory’s deficient governance and risk management. The project’s failure to secure essential match funding was criticized for endangering the entire scheme’s viability. Officers reportedly had minimal oversight and support during the project’s execution.
Sharkey reflected, “We didn’t give enough attention to managing claims and failed to use our own processes properly.” Liberal Democrat Councillor Tim Kerley questioned whether local government reorganization, marked by the formation of the new unitary Somerset Council in April 2023, contributed to the problems. Council’s interim CFO Clive Heaphy echoed the need to improve as accountable bodies, emphasizing that “getting the basics right” is essential.
Councillor Simon Carswell pointed out that abolishing Mendip District Council disrupted the Glastonbury town deal board, resulting in significant loss of institutional knowledge among officers and advisers. Sharkey reiterated a candid apology, admitting that inadequate processes, insufficient resources, and lack of proper support were to blame.
Council members also urged swift action to compensate local businesses impacted by the project collapse. Conservative Councillor Mandy Chilcott called for a clear timetable to resolve unpaid supplier claims, emphasizing the human impact and the public’s trust in the council. Sharkey, however, explained that legally the council cannot reimburse these businesses directly; any claims must be pursued through the liquidators of the collapsed contractor.
Further scrutiny revealed two additional projects within the town deal rated as “red” due to unresolved planning permissions and escalating costs. One suspected project under strain is a £2 million regenerative farming centre on Porchestall Drove.
Upcoming meetings—set for December 17 and December 22—will allow full council and audit committee members to review the Life Factory’s challenges and the forthcoming “lessons learned” report, which Somerset Council has pledged to publish publicly. The developments underscore the need for accountability, stronger governance, and rebuilding community trust following this significant setback in Glastonbury’s regeneration efforts.