Latest news with #CarliHarper
BBC News
20 hours ago
- Business
- BBC News
Millions lost by Norwich City Council housing firm 'shameful'
A council lost millions of pounds on a housing development company whose performance was "not regularly tracked", according to a leaked month Norwich City Council agreed to liquidate Lion Homes, which had been set up to generate revenue for the authority and build more affordable councillor Alex Catt said it was "shameful" that a review found the firm's shareholder panel - which included councillors and was supposed to meet four times a year - had not met since November Labour-run council – which had to write off a £6m loan to the firm – said it had struggled because of "spiralling borrowing costs and a hostile planning system". Carli Harper, cabinet member for finance and major projects, said there would be "a full scrutiny and audit review" of what happened with the as Norwich Regeneration Limited in 2015, the company was supposed to develop private housing projects to raise income for the council, while also providing some affordable some of its developments struggled and in 2020 it emerged £6m was lost when homes in Bowthorpe were sold for less than they cost to build. With the company close to collapse last year, consultants 31Ten were commissioned to review the financial risk posed to the BBC has seen the report from October 2024, which found that objectives for the firm "were not clear" or "clearly linked to key performance indicators nor regularly tracked".It said it was "critical" for the shareholder panel – set-up to oversee the business – to meet regularly, but it had not done so for consultants also found that the four Lion Homes employees also worked in the council's housing delivery team and warned that could "lead to a perception of conflict of interest".They also said the firm had built up loses of £5.72m over a number of years, while the council had invested £3.42m in it and provided a loan of £6.15m, which has since been written off. A separate report from accountants Grant Thornton said liquidating the company and its assets could recoup the council £ Catt, who leads the council's opposition Green group, said concerns raised by his party about how the firm was run "had been completely ignored"."It's frankly just a mess," he said."It's lacked basic governance, any accountability, any sort of purpose and was going forward on the basis of financial calculations that were completely wrong."Harper said selling Lion Homes' assets "will help us to significantly reduce any outstanding debt" and insisted the council was "always transparent about finances".She said other housing companies had faced the same problems of "spiralling borrowing costs and a hostile planning system" and that the council would develop housing projects itself, instead of using a private firm."Bringing Lion Homes in-house… ensures the council continues to deliver the housing Norwich needs in a more transparent, accountable way," she said. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
13-08-2025
- Business
- BBC News
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Paul Moseley BBC political reporter, Norfolk BBC Norwich market is one of the oldest open-air markets in Britain Seven out of 10 people have backed the idea of redesigning a city's historic marketplace after a public survey, a council has said. Earlier this year Norwich City Council launched a consultation on ideas - including a central court to the market, which dates back to the 11th Century. It was the most popular of three options – with the other two being smaller squares or a covered arcade running through the site. Councillor Carli Harper said the aim of revamping the market was to make it "one of the best places for shoppers and tourists in Europe". Norwich Market was last redeveloped in 2006, when its wooden stalls were replaced with covered metal units. When the Labour-run authority revealed plans to update it, it warned that "ageing infrastructure" was limiting its potential. Greig & Stephenson Architects Adding a central court to the market was the most favoured option in the survey It said it would spend £740,000 on plans, which would include a new layout and other upgrades including new shutters and CCTV cameras. The council said more than 2,800 people had responded to its survey on the future of Norwich Market. It found 29% of people taking part favoured the central court idea and 22% supported smaller squares, with 19% saying an arcade was the best option. But 30% of respondents said they would prefer no change at all. The survey results also showed that 67% of people wanted more seating in or around the market, whilst 57% said live music would make them want to visit in the evening. Greig & Stephenson Architects An arcade running through the middle of the market was the least popular option with survey respondents The council said it would now work on a "detailed business plan" ahead of any final decisions being made. Harper said her "main takeaway" from the results was that "a large majority of respondents want to see some kind of change to the market". "The challenge now is how we make Norwich Market even better and meet the needs of future consumers, address the views of market traders, ensuring the market retains its medieval magic while making it one of the best places for shoppers and tourists in Europe," she said. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Related internet links
BBC News
08-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Demolition of Norwich's Anglia Square due to begin next week
The demolition of an ageing shopping centre is due to start next City Council is set to announce the award of a demolition contract for the razing of Anglia area has recently become a ghost town after traders moved to new locations, and work to strip out the buildings' interiors is scheduled to start next council paid £5.6m to buy the complex so it could be revamped as part of a major regeneration project with 1,100 new homes and shops, leisure facilities and offices. The authority was handed £34m in government funding to buy the site and pay for the demolition work, which is expected to finish by March 2026, the Local Democracy Reporting Service was reported by Construction Enquirer that DSM Demolition had been awarded a £5.9m contract for the nine-month programme.A council spokesperson said: "We are expecting work to begin next week and will be working towards demolition works concluding by end of March." Carli Harper, the council's cabinet member for finance and major projects, said: "We're really pleased with the interest we've had in Anglia Square so far and the contract award marks a major milestone in this flagship project for the city." Traders have already moved out of Anglia Square ahead of the work getting under will be offered a new home adjacent to Anglia Square, near the flyover on Magdalen have been submitted for the "box park", which would consist of 80 shipping containers. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Revamp aims to make city's market 'magical'
A central court could be added to a city's renowned marketplace as part of plans for a major revamp. Smaller squares and a covered pathway through the middle are also options being put forward by Norwich City Council. Carli Harper, the Labour councillor responsible for major projects, said the authority wanted to make it "one of the most magical places you can visit in Norwich or the region". The council has now launched a survey asking for the public's views on its proposals and said it hoped to have final plans drawn up by this autumn. Earlier this year, the cabinet of the Labour-run authority agreed to spend £740,000 to commission proposals for potential new designs. Should changes go ahead, it would be the first major redevelopment of the market since 2006 – when ageing, wooden stalls were replaced with metal structures with roofs. The council said a central court or smaller squares could be used for "special events" and pop-up stalls, whilst a covered pathway would provide "a clear entrance point". Dominic Burke, co-owner of the Sir Toby's Beers stall, said some "exciting ideas" had been proposed. He added that traders had been meeting with the council to discuss plans and it was important for the wider public to comment. "The market belongs to everyone," he said. Harper said the aim was to "maximise footfall" and make the site "a destination market in Europe" and that construction work could begin later this year. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Traders 'at the heart' of city market revamp plans One of Britain's oldest markets set for revamp Norwich City Council
BBC News
30-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Revamp aims to make Norwich's market 'magical'
A central court could be added to a city's renowned marketplace as part of plans for a major squares and a covered pathway through the middle are also options being put forward by Norwich City Harper, the Labour councillor responsible for major projects, said the authority wanted to make it "one of the most magical places you can visit in Norwich or the region". The council has now launched a survey asking for the public's views on its proposals and said it hoped to have final plans drawn up by this autumn. Earlier this year, the cabinet of the Labour-run authority agreed to spend £740,000 to commission proposals for potential new changes go ahead, it would be the first major redevelopment of the market since 2006 – when ageing, wooden stalls were replaced with metal structures with council said a central court or smaller squares could be used for "special events" and pop-up stalls, whilst a covered pathway would provide "a clear entrance point". Dominic Burke, co-owner of the Sir Toby's Beers stall, said some "exciting ideas" had been added that traders had been meeting with the council to discuss plans and it was important for the wider public to comment."The market belongs to everyone," he said the aim was to "maximise footfall" and make the site "a destination market in Europe" and that construction work could begin later this year. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
