The chair of Warwickshire County Council said he was "contrite" over having two rental properties shut down by a neighbouring authority – but he does not plan to stand down. 

Cllr Ed Harris has had two six-bed houses of multiple occupation (HMOs), also known as shared houses, closed by Tamworth Borough Council amid "serious safety failures" but insisted the press release that called him a "rogue landlord" lacked context. 

The official announcement said inspections of the houses in the Stonydelph area of Tamworth flagged problems including "no central heating or hot water, poor fire doors and no smoke detection systems, inadequate cooking facilities (and) unsafe access to gardens".

"Multiple other safety failures" were highlighted alongside both "illegally" operating without licences. "Further enforcement action in relation to these properties" is still under consideration.

Cllr Harris said "not all of those facts are presented in the correct light" and that there was "much more context". The Reform UK councillor declined to elaborate on the details but acknowledged "there are a number of things to be contrite about".

"Both properties are owned by me and I take full accountability for what is happening with them," he said.

"I will be doing my utmost to sort it out and get things back on a level playing field now that I am aware of the full circumstances."

Cllr Harris declined to comment on why he had not been aware of those circumstances but later said: "I'm not going to shy away from responsibility for these two properties, where they are at now and where they are going to be in the future when action has been taken to rectify everything.

"I am not trying to excuse anything but there is a lot more to it than the information suggests."

Tamworth Borough Council also alleged that Cllr Harris and agents Touchstone had "repeatedly failed to take action on warnings and advice from the council to address the problems", which he also disputed.

The councillor for Baddesley & Dordon denied any "direct relationship" with Touchstone, stating that appointment had been made by the mortgage company involved with one of the properties.

On the timeliness of repairs, Cllr Harris said: "The first time I became aware of things that needed to be done, actions were taken to cross things off their list of worries.

"I don't see them noting the actions taken to put the property in a safer state."

Asked whether he felt the properties were unsafe at the time of enforcement action, Cllr Harris replied: "I don't think they are unsafe.

"I think there are a couple of actions that need to be taken to make them more habitable but I don't see them as unsafe."

Cllr Harris was unsure whether he would hold onto these homes once repaired or what further action Tamworth Borough Council may take, but said he had "never been in this much trouble with a council" during 28 years as a landlord and that he would "desperately like to see these houses get back up and running to help people homeless people".

As chair, Cllr Harris acts as the civic and ceremonial head of Warwickshire County Council and "upholds and promotes the purposes of its constitution".

Asked whether he would resign as chair or as a councillor, Cllr Harris said: "I don't think there is any need to. My personal life is completely separate from my work life."

He confirmed he informed a member of the Reform UK cabinet about the issue on Wednesday (January 28) and that his party was "considering their position".

"I have a lot to give in my roles as councillor and as chairman," he added.

"I have made significant commitments, both to Reform UK and to Warwickshire County Council.

"If I have lost the confidence of the council as a result of this and they wish to change chairman then the council has many tools in its toolbox."