Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Property & Assets and Economic Growth.

That authority be delegated to the Executive Director of Place to grant Farm Business Tenancies (FBTs) with an aggregate rental value exceeding £500,000, including those for the four farms currently being relet as well as any future re-lettings, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Property & Assets and Economic Growth and the S151 Officer, on terms to be agreed.

Reason for the decision

To enable a responsive and efficient approach to granting Progression Farm FBTs, where contractual terms were typically 20–25 years and market rents meant the aggregate rental value routinely exceeds £500,000.

This delegation ensured alignment with the Farms Estate Strategy.

The Cabinet Member for Property & Assets and Economic Growth set out a report seeking delegated authority for the Executive Director of Place to approve Farm Business Tenancy (FBT) agreements where the aggregate rental value exceeded £500,000. The delegation was required to support timely implementation of the Farms Estate Strategy 2026–2036 and to enable efficient decision making for current and future re-lettings, particularly for Progression Farms where long tenancy terms routinely exceeded the existing approval threshold.

The report further outlined the benefits of streamlining the process, maintaining strong governance, and ensuring alignment with strategic aims.

It was proposed by Cllr R Biggs and seconded by Cllr Clifford

Decision

That authority be delegated to the Executive Director of Place to grant Farm Business Tenancies (FBTs) with an aggregate rental value exceeding £500,000, including those for the four farms currently being relet as well as any future re-lettings, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Property & Assets and Economic Growth and the S151 Officer, on terms to be agreed.

Reason for the decision

To enable a responsive and efficient approach to granting Progression Farm FBTs, where contractual terms were typically 20–25 years and market rents meant the aggregate rental value routinely exceeds £500,000.

This delegation ensured alignment with the Farms Estate Strategy.