Agenda item

This Council:

• Greatly values the role of Monmouthshire farmers in producing high quality food, providing food security and acting as the guardians of our natural environment.
• Regrets the UK Government’s proposed changes to inheritance tax, specifically the removal of Agricultural Property Relief, which threatens the future of family farms in Monmouthshire.
• Agrees to work with local farming unions and other Welsh councils to persuade the UK Government to protect our rural communities and not kill off family farms.

County Councillor Rachel Buckler presented the motion:

This Council:

·         Greatly values the role of Monmouthshire farmers in producing high quality food, providing food security and acting as the guardians of our natural environment.

·         Regrets the UK Government’s proposed changes to inheritance tax, specifically the removal of Agricultural Property Relief, which threatens the future of family farms in Monmouthshire.

·         Agrees to work with local farming unions and other Welsh councils to persuade the UK Government to protect our rural communities and not kill off family farms.

Seconded by County Councillor Maureen Powell.

https://www.youtube.com/live/PHi1FvgAtig?si=Gz2EIN1G0VPMof3T&t=12181

County Councillor Sara Burch proposed an amendment to the Motion:

This Council:

·         Greatly values the role of Monmouthshire farmers in producing high quality food, providing food security and acting as the guardians of our natural environment.

·         Recognises that many farmers are facing a particularly difficult time as a result of the policies of previous Westminster governments, including Brexit, poorly negotiated trade deals and the failure to rein in the power of the supermarkets, as well as global instability and the growing impacts of climate change.

·         Acknowledges that the UK Government’s proposed changes to inheritance tax, specifically the limiting of Agricultural Property Relief, are perceived as a threat to the future of family farms in Monmouthshire.

·         Agrees to work with local farming unions and other Welsh councils to protect our rural communities, supporting them to thrive and to sustain the inter-generational transfer of family farm businesses.

Seconded by County Councillor Dale Rooke.

We proceeded to debate the proposed amendment to the Motion.

County Councillor Rachel Buckler, the presenter of the original Motion, exercised her right of reply in respect of the proposed amendment to the Motion.

https://www.youtube.com/live/PHi1FvgAtig?si=XWUf5XIjg7qDV4VP&t=13891

Upon being put to the vote, the following votes were recorded:

In favour of the amendment           -           21

Against the amendment                  -           17

Abstentions                                       -           0

The proposed amendment was carried.

Members proceeded to debate the substantive motion, as amended.

County Councillor Tomos Davies proposed an amendment to the first bullet point:

This Council:

·         Recognises that many farmers are facing a particularly difficult time as a result of the policies of previous Westminster governments, including Brexit, poorly negotiated trade deals and the failure to rein in the power of the supermarkets, as well as global instability and the growing impacts of climate change [as well as continued uncertainty from the Welsh Government’s own reforms].

• Acknowledges that the UK Government’s proposed changes to inheritance tax, specifically the limiting of Agricultural Property Relief, are perceived as a threat to the future of family farms in Monmouthshire.

·         Agrees to work with local farming unions and other Welsh councils to protect our rural communities, supporting them to thrive and to sustain the inter-generational transfer of family farm businesses.

Seconded by County Councillor Jane Lucas.

As there were no requests to speak on the amendment subject to the second amendment proposed by County Councillor Davies, we proceeded to the vote:

In favour of the amendment           -           32

Against the amendment                  -           3

Abstentions                                       -           1

The amendment was carried.

We proceeded to debate the amended Motion.

County Councillor Rachel Buckler, the presenter of the original Motion, exercised her right of reply in respect of the amended motion.

Upon being put to a recorded vote the amended Motion was carried.

For                   -          21

Against           -          18

Abstentions   -          0

https://www.youtube.com/live/PHi1FvgAtig?si=I5NkF3fxIorXdTjs&t=16497

Following this agenda item the Vice-Chair called for a short break. During this time, County Councillors Tudor Thomas, Malcolm Lane, Frances Taylor and Ann Webb, left the meeting and did not return.