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18
Nov
Call to review loss-making council housing firm after 'horror stories' exposed
A Harrogate councillor has urged North Yorkshire Council to review its loss-making housebuilding company.
Brierley Homes, which was founded in 2017, is part of the Brierley Group of 12 companies owned by the council.
It has built homes in locations including Woodfield Square in Harrogate, North Road in Ripon, The Paddocks in Great Ouseburn and Yew Tree Farm in Marton-cum-Grafton.
The Stray Ferret revealed in July the council expected Brierley Homes to make £959,000 in the 2023/24 financial year but instead it lost £1.3 million. Read more here.
A Daily Mail investigation this month detailed the 'horror stories' of numerous residents who have purchased properties from Brierley Homes only to discover major snagging problems. You can read the article here.
Karl Battersby, the council’s corporate director for environment, who is also chairman of Brierley Homes, told the Daily Mail “the return in investment relies on sales income which often does not simply fall within the same financial year” and that “since the company was formed, the total positive value to the council has actually been in excess of £250,000 with a strong balance sheet”.
Councillor Paul Haslam, an independent who represents Bilton and Nidd Gorge, told last week’s full council meeting:
Bearing in mind that one of our Brierley companies hit the national news this week in the Daily Mail about housing quality. I just wondered as a result of that whether you might have a fresh look at Brierley building group.
Councillor Cliff Lunn, the Conservative chair of the council’s audit committee, replied:
This will come to us from the appropriate body within the council. We don’t allow the Daily Mail to set our agenda.
Speaking afterwards, Cllr Haslam told the Stray Ferret:
Our agenda might not be determined by the Daily Mail but it should be determined by residents’ concerns. The audit report said ‘everything’s good’ with Brierley Homes and I don’t think that’s strictly true. There were genuine concerns raised and somebody needs to look at them.
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