Agenda item

Report of the Head of Digital Transformation and Business Support (BSS/18/12) on County Farms Estate Management and Restructuring issues, attached.

The Committee considered the Report of the Head of Digital Transformation and Business Support (BSS/18/12) on County Farms Estate Management and Restructuring issues. 

The Report at paragraph 1.0 referred in the heading to Part East Week Farm II, South Tawton whereas it should have referred to Part East Week Farm I, South Tawton.

The Committee requested that details be included in the County Farms Estate Annual Report 2018/19 of the letting of land to Airband Community Internet Ltd at less than market value (the Council was a stakeholder in the Connecting Devon and Somerset Broadband Programme) as referred to in (d) and (e) below. 

The Committee wished to put on record that, in making the resolutions at (f) and (g) below, the Estate was providing valuable land enabling a vital educational infrastructure improvement, without the need for site purchase, and delivering substantial capital receipts.  At the same time however, the overall size of the Estate was being further reduced and Members felt that some of the capital receipts generated should be reinvested in replacement land or farms to ensure the long-term viability of the Estate.

(a)        Part East Week Farm I, South Tawton

It was MOVED by Councillor Brook SECONDED by Councillor Berry and

RESOLVED that the 11.83 acres or thereabouts of land at part East Week Farm II, South Tawton and more particularly known as OS 8375, 8300 and 9300 be advertised to let in internal competition between the tenants of Lower East Week Farm, South Tawton; Smithscross Farm, Drewsteignton; Higher Fingle Farm, Drewsteignton; and East Fingle Farm, Drewsteignton on a three-year Farm Business Tenancy commencing 25 March 2020 and expiring 25 March 2023, subject to terms being agreed.

(b)        Part Greenhills Farm, West Anstey

It was MOVED by Councillor Yabsley, SECONDED by Councillor Dewhirst,

RESOLVED that the current tenant be offered a further short-term Farm Business Tenancy Agreement of the 19.87 acres or thereabouts of land forming part Greenhills Farm, West Anstey and more particularly described as OS 2327, 3226, 4623 and 3009 for a term commencing 25 March 2020 and expiring 25 March 2023, subject to terms being agreed.

(c)        Southacott Farm, Mariansleigh

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

RESOLVED

(i)     that vacant possession of Southacott Farm, Mariansleigh be secured on 25 March 2020; and

(ii)    that the reletting of the farmhouse, buildings and 216.67 acres or thereabouts of land at Southacott Farm, Mariansleigh as an equipped residential progression dairy farm in internal competion between existing tenants of the Estate and on a Farm Business Tenancy commencing 25 March 2020 and expiring 25 March 2035, subject to terms being agreed, be endorsed.

(d)        Higher Bradaford Farm, Virginstow

It was MOVED by Councillor Brook, SECONDED by Councillor Dewhirst,

RESOLVED

       (i)     that vacant possession of Higher Bradaford Farm, Virginstow be secured on 25 March 2020;

       (ii)    that the reletting of the farmhouse, buildings and 137.04 acres or thereabouts of land at Higher Bradaford Farm, Virginstow as an equipped residential starter dairy farm on the open market and on a Farm Business Tenancy commencing 25 March 2020 and expiring 25 March 2027, subject to terms being agreed, be endorsed; and

       (iii)   that 4m² or thereabouts of land at Higher Bradaford Farm, Virginstow (part NG 5757) be let on a Digital Economy Act 2017, Electronic Communications Code Lease to Airband Community Internet Ltd for a term of 10 years, subject to terms being agreed.

(e)   Land at Furze Cottages Farm, Ashreigney

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

RESOLVED that 4m² or thereabouts of land at Furze Cottages Farm, Ashreigney (part NG 6418) be let on a Digital Economy Act 2017, Electronic Communications Code Lease to Airband Community Internet Ltd for a term of 10 years, subject to terms being agreed.

(f)    Thorne Farm, Ottery St Mary

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

RESOLVED that Thorne Farm, Ottery St Mary be declared permanently surplus to the operational requirements of the Estate and:

       (i)     that part of the site be transferred to the Dioceses of Exeter for the provision of a new primary school to replace the one at Tipton St John and afford additional capacity for the expanding town of Ottery St Mary, subject to planning and terms being agreed; and

       (ii)    that part of the site be sold on the open market for residential development to raise essential capital required to finance the construction of the new primary school referred to in (i) above, subject to planning and terms being agreed.

(g)   Land at Aldens Farm, Alphington

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

RESOLVED that the 25.91 acres or thereabouts of land at Aldens Farm, Alphington be declared permanently surplus to the operational requirements of the Estate and sold.

(h)   Part Middle Winsham Farm, Braunton

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

RESOLVED that following the open market letting campaign for the 123.79 acres or thereabouts of land at Middle Winsham Farm, Braunton, the land be let to Mr AS on a fixed term Farm Business Tenancy Agreement commencing 25 June 2018 and terminating 25 March 2021, subject to the terms and conditions agreed.