Herefordshire Council’s cabinet has agreed to sell all of its county farms.
Hereford Times writes:
The revised smallholdings policy includes a structured sale of the entire estate and some development on appropriate sites.The decision comes despite challenges from council opposition groups, the National Farmers Union and the Tenant Farmers Association as well as many others. The council’s own general, overview and scrutiny committee recommended that only a partial sale was undertaken. Councillors had called for the decision to be made by full council but this was refused. A disposals plan will be developed for approval by April 2016, and the council wants to use the receipts to invest in ‘key infrastructure projects’.
Councillor Bramer, cabinet member contracts & assets said: ‘I understand that this has been an uncertain time for tenants and can assure them that the council will take a supportive and sympathetic approach to the welfare and needs of current tenants.’
Depending on the property, and the impact upon the remainder of the estate, existing tenants may be given the opportunity to purchase their own holdings. The main objective is to ensure that best value is obtained for taxpayers’ money and the prosperity of the county is prioritized.’
