Smallholding sales won’t need full council approval
A BID to stop any more local authority farms from being sold off without the say-so of the full council has been turned down.
Last week, members of Anglesey Council’s opposition group presented a motion that would stop any more being sold unless given authorisation in a full council meeting. But the bid was turned down by a wide margin.
Anglesey holds Wales’ second largest farm estate of 98 smallholdings, with only Powys Council holding more.
But fears over recent sales, made in order to pay for the £10m refurbishment costs, has seen concerns from some members that youngsters would be left unable to get onto the agricultural ladder if the estate significantly shrank.
Liberal Democrat Councillor Aled Morris Jones, who presented the motion with Cllr Ken Hughes, told Tuesday’s full council meeting: “The current policy allows the portfolio holder the option of selling off any smallholding that becomes vacant.
“But, while we expected these powers to be used sparingly, the phrase ‘be careful what you wish for’ comes to mind.
“The estate, left in an atrocious state when we took over from the former Gwynedd Council, now brings in £525,000 a year.
“These smallholdings give youngsters a chance and also help the Welsh language. This motion wouldn’t mean the council would not be able to sell any more, but bring the decision before the entire council, giving a strong and clear message.”
Cllr Ken Hughes added: “Perhaps there may have been justifiction to sell in the past, but it isn’t there any more. I’m more than happy to second the motion.”
But Cllr John Arwel Roberts, believed that the council would be “restricting itself” if the motion was accepted.
Proposing an amendment, portfolio holder Bob Parry asked the Corporate Scrutiny Committee to review how to make best use of the smallholding portfolio to ensure the island’s youngsters are given the best opportunity, while also ensuring the maximum financil returns for the authority.
His amended motion was endorsed by the council leader, Llinos Medi, who backed efforts to support agriculture on the island, despite accusations by Cllr Morris Jones that it was a “delaying tactic.”
But it was Cllr Bob Parry’s motion which won the day, approved by 21 votes to four, with one abstention.