The deputy leader of Somerset Council has been cleared of having any conflict of interest relating to a failed regeneration project in Glastonbury.

The Red Brick Building, located on Morland Road in Glastonbury, has been the subject of significant building work as part of the £23.6m Glastonbury town deal, with the derelict 'Building C' being transformed into community events space, offices, and other facilities (known as the 'Life Factory').

The project has been beset by problems, with the council having to 'pause' the government-provided grant funding in January 2024 (though some was later used to pay apprentices) and Beckery Construction Company Ltd., the company set up to deliver the £2.89m project, collapsing into liquidation in early-November.

The council's chief executive Duncan Sharkey publicly apologised on Tuesday (December 9) for the council's handling of the Life Factory project, after an audit by Grant Thornton described the project's governance as "wholly inadequate".

Now Councillor Liz Leyshon, who has been involved in the Glastonbury town deal from the beginning, has been cleared by the council's monitoring officer of having any conflict of interest with regard to the project, following a complaint by a Somerset resident.

All elected councillors have to declare any interests which they hold on the council's official website, and must keep this list updated throughout their term in office.

Interests include ownership of any property (whether residential, commercial or agricultural land), shares or directorships in any businesses or charities, and membership of organisations (such as political parties or sports clubs).

In her register of interests, Ms Leyshon (who represents the neighbouring Street division) lists herself as a member of the Glastonbury town deal board, as well as a member of the Friends of Brides Mound (which is subject to a separate regeneration project within the town deal).

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Taunton resident David Orr – a near-constant critic of the council's finances – formally lodged a complaint against Ms Leyshon, asserting that she had failed to disclose an interest in the Life Factory project when speaking on the matter at council meetings.

He said: "This, in my view, constitutes a breach of several Nolan Principles of Public Life (particularly integrity, openness and accountability) and conduct liable to undermine public confidence in the council's decision-making on a matter involving significant public funds.

"Where the council was considering failures, governance shortcomings, lessons learned, or public money exposure, those councillors arguably also had a duty to withdraw from debate and voting.

"Given the importance of transparency in governance – particularly in relation to a publicly funded project now subject to scrutiny – it is essential that potential conflicts of interest are handled properly."

The Grant Thornton audit found that members of the Glastonbury town deal board had declared any interests they held in any of the regeneration projects.

However, it added: "There is no evidence that the council delved deeper into the impact of such declarations or sought further advice to effectively consider the ramifications of such declarations.

"The lack of council action in this area identifies a significant failure of the

governance and oversight arrangements in place."

Alyn Jones, the council's monitoring officer, said he had reviewed Mr Orr's complaint with the council's head of legal and its head of governance and democratic services in order to "provide an independent view".

He said: "The Glastonbury town deal board is an advisory and communication body sitting alongside that of Somerset Council.

"There are 15 board members and several observers from key agencies. Membership is determined by national government.

"We are satisfied that Councillor Leyshon is not, and has never been, a member of the Red Brick Building Centre Ltd. board or a shareholder, which is the grant recipient for the Life Factory project.

"Her appointment to the Glastonbury town deal board was made by the council. This board is advisory only; the council remains the accountable body responsible for funding and delivery.

"Her role does not create a prejudicial interest and this accords with the Local Government Association's code of conduct guidance.

"Her participation in council meetings discussing the Life Factory project does not breach the code of conduct."

Ms Leyshon was approached by the Local Democracy Reporting Service but declined to comment on Mr Jones' ruling.