Agenda item

Report of the Head of Digital Transformation and Business Support (BSS/17/17) on County Farms Estate Management and Restructuring issues, attached.

(Mr C Latham declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in this item at paragraph (b), The Marwood Estate, by virtue of being the tenant of land or property affected and withdrew from the meeting during its consideration.)

The Committee received the Report of the Head of Digital Transformation and Business Support (BSS/17/17) on County Farms Estate Management and Restructuring issues.

(a)   Baxters Farm, Musbury

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

RESOLVED 

         (i)     that the farmhouse, buildings and 2.45 acres or thereabouts of land at Baxters Farm, Musbury be declared permanently surplus to the operational requirements of the Estate and sold; and

         (ii)    that the 68.81 acres or thereabouts of land at Baxters Farm be offered to the tenant of Waterford Farm on a fixed term Farm Business Tenancy Agreement commencing 25 March 2018 and terminating 25 March 2022, subject to terms being agreed.

(b)   The Marwood Estate

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

RESOLVED 

       (i)     that acceptance of the tenant’s early surrender of Chapel Farm, Marwood, effective at 25 March 2018, be endorsed;

       (ii)    that the reletting of the bungalow, buildings and up to 268.23 acres (in lots) or thereabouts of land at Chapel Farm, Marwood as an equipped residential dairy holding

              (1)   firstly, in internal competition as a progression opportunity for existing estate tenants on a Farm Business Tenancy commencing 25 March 2018 and expiring 25 March 2033 or an earlier term date affording the successful applicant a maximum 25 years on the Estate, subject to terms being agreed or, if not let internally, then

              (2)   secondly, to advertise the holding on the open market to new entrants and on a Farm Business Tenancy commencing 25 March 2018 and expiring 25 March 2025, subject to terms being agreed, be approved.             

       (iii)   that landlord’s consent be approved in principle for the prospective tenants of Chapel Farm, Marwood, to install a new herringbone milking parlour and potential dairy and all associated services, plant and equipment in the landlord’s new building, subject to:

              (1) the physical/structure works to construct the parlour pit, cow standings, walls, ceilings and drains, and the dairy having a life expectancy of 25 years and thus the value of this part of the improvement will be written down on a straight line basis from the approved cost of making the improvement (the lowest of three competitive quotes) to £100 over a 25 year term;

              (2) the tubular steel work for the parlour, the plant and equipment, services and in- parlour feeders having a life expectancy of 10 years and thus the value of this part of the improvements will be written down on a straight line basis from the approved cost of making the improvement (the lowest of three competitive quotes) to £100 over a 10 year term;

              (3) should the tenant be required to replace any significant items of worn out plant and equipment such as compressors, milk pumps, plate coolers etc. during the residual term of the tenancy then the cost of any such replacement will be written down on a straight line basis over a period of 10 year commencing on the date the replacement is made and added to the compensation value of the remainder of the original parlour and dairy referred to in paragraph 2 above;        

       (iv)   that the reletting of the bungalow, buildings and 94.10 acres or thereabouts of land at Prixford Barton Farm, Marwood as an equipped residential mixed livestock holding (expressly excluding the use of the holding as a dairy unit) on the open market to new entrants and on a Farm Business Tenancy commencing 25 March 2018 (or as soon as possible thereafter) and expiring 25 March 2025, subject to terms being agreed, be approved; and

       (v)    that the 123.99 acres or thereabouts of land forming part Middle Winsham Farm, Braunton be temporarily offered to let to the prospective tenants of Chapel Farm and/or Prixford Barton Farm, Marwood for the term 25 March 2018 to 25 March 2021, subject to terms being agreed, be approved.