Agenda, decisions and minutes

There was no matter raised as a matter of urgency.

Recommendation: that the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of Schedule 12A of the Act, namely information relating to, and which is likely to reveal the identity of, tenants and information relating to the financial or business affairs of tenants and the County Council and, in accordance with Section 36 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, by virtue of the fact that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

RESOLVED that the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of Schedule 12A of the Act, namely information relating to, and which was likely to reveal the identity of, tenants and information relating to the financial or business affairs of tenants and the County Council and, in accordance with Section 36 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, by virtue of the fact that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.

(An item to be considered by the Committee in accordance with the Cabinet Procedure Rules and Regulation 5 of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012, no representations having been received to such consideration taking place under Regulation 5(5) thereof.)

To interview shortlisted applicants for the above vacant holding(s) (timetable and supporting documents circulated separately).

(a)  Lower Uppacott Farm, Mariansleigh

RESOLVED that the tenancy of Lower Uppacott Farm, Mariansleigh be offered to Mr MJS and Ms AP on the subject to contract terms and conditions proposed and in the event that Mr MJS and Ms AP do not take up the offer of tenancy the farm can be offered in the alternative to Mr JH as runner up.

(b)  Lowmans Farm, Broadhempston

RESOLVED that:

(i)     Subject to contract conditional terms and conditions be discussed with Ms VH and Ms MK concerning renting them the house, buildings and some of the land comprising Lomans Farm, Broadhempston only.

(ii)    In the event acceptable terms and conditions can be agreed to implement resolution (i) above, then the remainder of the bare land at Lomans Farm, Broadhempston be offered in internal competition to existing estate tenants in the locality for a series of short-term Farm Business Tenancy Agreements, subject to terms being agreed.

(iii)    In the event acceptable terms and conditions cannot be agreed to implement resolution (i) above, then Lomans Farm, Broadhempston be readvertised to let on the open market to new entrants as a starter farm for a term of seven years, subject to terms being agreed.

(An item taken under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 during which the press and public were excluded, no representations having been received to such consideration under Regulation 5(5) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012)

The Director of Transformation and Business Services reported on the circumstances of this reletting.

The Committee then considered the rent for the holdings and interviewed prospective tenants.

(a)  Lower Uppacott Farm, Mariansleigh

It was MOVED by Councillor Yabsley, SECONDED by Councillor Brook and

RESOLVED that the tenancy of Lower Uppacott Farm, Mariansleigh be offered to Mr MJS and Ms AP on the subject to contract terms and conditions proposed and in the event that Mr MJS and Ms AP do not take up the offer of tenancy the farm can be offered in the alternative to Mr JH as runner up.

(b)  Lowmans Farm, Broadhempston

It was explained to interviewees that the availability of Lomans Farm, Broadhempston was not certain and at best there may be a delayed entry and at worst the reletting campaign for this particular holding may yet need to be aborted.

It was MOVED by Councillor Whitton, SECONDED by Councillor Brook and

RESOLVED that:

(i)     Subject to contract conditional terms and conditions be discussed with Ms VH and Ms MK concerning renting them the house, buildings and some of the land comprising Lomans Farm, Broadhempston only.

(ii)    In the event acceptable terms and conditions can be agreed to implement resolution (i) above, then the remainder of the bare land at Lomans Farm, Broadhempston be offered in internal competition to existing estate tenants in the locality for a series of short-term Farm Business Tenancy Agreements, subject to terms being agreed.

(iii)    In the event acceptable terms and conditions cannot be agreed to implement resolution (i) above, then Lomans Farm, Broadhempston be readvertised to let on the open market to new entrants as a starter farm for a term of seven years, subject to terms being agreed.