The Tenant Farmers Association has accused Herefordshire County Council of being economical with the truth in relation to its decision to sell 400 acres of land from the heart of its County Farms Estate.
TFA Chief Executive George Dunn said "The TFA has been in discussions with Herefordshire County Council since last February after the council decided to end the livelihood of eight of its farm tenants by serving notices to terminate their tenancies. The clear intention was for these holdings to be sold. However, through negotiation with the council, the TFA managed to obtain a stay of execution for six of the eight tenants with the two remaining being on land near Ross upon which the council wants to build a technology park. Since confirming this position, I am sorry to say that the council has tried to wriggle out of its commitment to at least one of these six tenants. On that tenant’s behalf, the TFA has raised a formal complaint of mal-administration which may end up with the local authority ombudsman."
The discussion surrounding these eight holdings lead the council to conduct a formal review of its overall County Farms policy and the TFA was delighted when the council’s Strategic Monitoring Committee concluded that the County Farms estate in Herefordshire should be retained with some rationalisation and that a development plan for the estate would be drawn up to ensure a long-term, stable framework within which the farms can be managed.
"Shortly after this decision was reached the ’for sale’ signs went up on 400 acres of council owned farmland at Nieuport near Almeley in Herefordshire. No mention of this sale was made either in the paperwork or in the debates for the review. The council claims that the sell off forms part of its ongoing rationalisation policy but I cannot see how it can be claimed that selling off 400 acres of land, representing nearly 10% of the estate, can be considered ’rationalisation’ of the estate," said Mr Dunn.
"Thankfully there has been a backlash from County Councillors and the public alike. The TFA has also raised it formally with the Chief Executive of the council and is awaiting a response. If the Council wants to remain truthful to the democratic decision of its Strategic Monitoring Committee then it must shelve this sell off. If it does not then it is guilty of the charge of being economical with the truth," said Mr Dunn.
The TFA has also been concerned to receive reports that a deal has already been done with a preferred purchaser for the land up for sale.
"If that is true it would be contrary to the rules under which local authorities have to operate in disposing of assets. We have asked the Council to deny these reports and await its response" said Mr Dunn.