NFU Cymru lobbying protects council small holding portfolio
NFU Cymru recently lobbied for reassurances about the future of Gwynedd County Council smallholdings portfolio following speculation that part of it could be sold.
Meirionnydd NFU Cymru County Chairman, Huw Alun Evans wrote to the Chief Executive in advance of a crucial cabinet meeting last month, when the future management of the county’s small holding portfolio was to be discussed.
In his letter he asked councillors for an assurance that they will safeguard and invest in the small holdings and that they will engage with NFU Cymru before any changes are made to management plan.
Mr Evans said, "The Council’s policy is focused on keeping young people in rural areas and to protect the Welsh language - selling them would just be contradicting this policy. It was only two years ago we highlighted the benefits it brings to the farming sector, the rural community of Gwynedd and the county council itself."
In his letter he pointed out that the farms estate supports rural regeneration and contributes to wider community benefits. "The farms estate has a huge potential to aid the county council in meeting its strategic objectives. If managed with a real long-term vision it can provide many benefits to the economy, the community and the wider environment," he said.
The recently published Gwynedd County Council Corporate Asset Strategy 2009/10 – 2018/19 report suggests that NFU Cymru lobbying paid off. The report states, "There is no revenue obligations for the Council in respect of the smallholdings and in view of the fact that they play an important part in agricultural community and rural areas in general the intention is to keep ownership of these whilst noting that there is a need to amend the letting terms in order to ensure their commercial viability."
Pleased with the report Huw Alun Evans said, "I am satisfied with this report as council estates in some counties have been slowly whittled away for decades and are pretty small now. We know that there is enormous pressure on local government finances but rents from tenanted farms make an important contribution to council funds and agricultural land remains a secure asset and investment - probably the safest there is.
"Smallholdings represent just about the only way of into farming for so many young people and play an integral part in our culture and heritage. Selling them would only result in a short term gain, which would only cause long term pain. We warmly congratulate Gwynedd Councillors in coming to this decision."
