Motions calling for Cornwall Council to stand up for local farmers and for the community-led housing early-stage feasibility fund to be reinstated have been submitted for debate at a meeting of the full council in Truro today.
The Chairman of Cornwall Council will make a decision at the meeting on whether the motions will be debated during the meeting, or if they will be referred to committees.
Also on the agenda for the meeting, which takes place the County Hall (Lys Kernow), are the appointment of a new Section 151 Officer and a new Monitoring Officer for the council, as well as the budget for the Harbours Board for 2025/26.
The meeting will also provide an opportunity for both members of the public and for other councillors to pose questions to the leader and her Cabinet colleagues.
You can follow proceedings online via our webcast service, or via the live blog below:
9.30am: Today's meeting will start at 10.30am.
10.30am: Today's meeting is now underway, and will begin with prayers.
10.35am: We now move onto apologies for absence and declarations of interest.
10.38am: Cllr Pauline Giles, chairman of Cornwall Council, is making her announcements. She speaks of attending the recent Remembrance Day services, and recognises local charities recently given the King's award.
She asks Cllr Linda Taylor to pay tribute to former Councillor Walter Sanger, who recently passed away. Cllr Sanger, a former chairman of Kerrier District Council, also served as a councillor on Cornwall Council following its creation in 2009. A minute's silence is held.
10.44am: Cllr Linda Taylor, leader of Cornwall Council, is next to make her announcements, which include the signing of the new Faith Covenant for Cornwall, and the recent visit of a Local Government Association peer review team to assess the council's work on equality, diversity and inclusion.
She concludes: "Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to urge you all to encourage your constituents to have their say in our ongoing budget consultation.
"As anyone who attended our last Cabinet meeting knows, it has taken an incredible amount of hard work to reach a balanced budget for next year, and there have been some very tough choices to make.
"We are still waiting to hear what our final settlement will be from the Government, but we are not expecting any surprise extras, so the situation is really challenging.
"It is now out for consultation, and we want to hear from as many people as possible. Please direct people to our Let’s Talk Cornwall website, where they will be able to read details of the draft budget, and provide feedback as well."
10.47am: The approval of the minutes of the past two full council meetings are next on the agenda. Both are approved with minor changes.
10.50am: We now move onto public questions. There are five questions today. The first asks about changes to Dudnance Lane recycling centre.
10.51am: The second question regards housing standards and whether floor coverings are mandatory in social housing. Cllr Olly Monk says that legislation is currently being worked up, and that he supports improved standards. A supplementary question cannot be heard due to feedback, so the questioner is invited to enter the council chamber to give his question.
10.55am: While awaiting his arrival, the third question regards the council's work on regulating park homes. Cllr Carol Mould confirms the council conducts regular inspections of sites, and that action is taken whenever non-compliance with regulations is found.
10.57am: The supplementary question for question two is heard, asking if the council will enforce floor coverings being mandatory. Cllr Monk says the economic situation means he cannot commit to it, but emphasises again that legislation may be forthcoming from Government.
10.59am: The fourth question concerns the Padstow bus terminal and if it can be improved. Cllr Connor Donnithorne, portfolio holder for transport, says that he is aware of the situation and will work with Padstow Town Council, who own the land concerned.
11.01am: The final public question concerns progress on accessibility at Bodmin Parkway train station. Cllr Donnithorne says Network Rail and Cornwall Council will continue to work on accessibility, and that lobbying for funds continues.
11.03am: We now move onto the Cornwall Harbours budget for 2025/26, which is approved unanimously.
11.05am: The next item is the Cornwall Harbours fees and charges for 2025/26, which are again approved.
11.06am: We now move onto the designation of a Section 151 officer. Cllr Linda Taylor says that Alice Gunn has been recommended for the role, and pays tribute to Tracie Langley, whose retirement is creating the vacancy. There is a round of applause from across the chamber.
Cllr David Harris, portfolio holder for resources, adds his thanks to Tracie Langley, saying she has worked tirelessly since her appointment in 2019. He says he is delighted to see Alice Gunn put forward for the role.
11.19am: There is a debate over the wording of the designation of the Section 151 Officer and the wording of the next item, the designation of a monitoring officer.
11.21am: The appointment of Alice Gunn is approved unanimously.
11.22am: The next item is the appointment of a monitoring officer, with Paul Grant put forward for the role.
11.23am: The appointment of Paul Grant is approved unanimously.
11.24am: We now move onto today's motion. The first, a call for the community-led housing early-stage feasibility fund to be reinstated, is being referred to Cabinet. The proposer of the motion, Cllr Julian German is given three minutes to speak on the motion.
Cllr German says Cornwall faces a housing crisis, and that the fund is a proven way of supporting communities. He says different approaches must be taken to address the issues and that he hopes Cabinet will work to deliver for residents.
11.27am: The second motion, entitled 'Supporting Our Farmers' has been put approved for debate today. Cllr Nick Craker, who has proposed the motion, speaks first. He says recent changes made by the Government has provoked previously unseen levels of anger from farmers.
He ends with a quote from the chairman of the Young Farmers' Association, who said that his generation are having to consider their futures. He asks for the chamber to back his motion.
11.31am: Cllr James Mustoe seconds the motion, and says he believes that the Government has misunderstood who the policy will affect, as they do not realise how family farms work.
11.35am: Supporters of the motion can now speak. First to do so is Cllr Martyn Alvey, who begins by saying it is an ill-thought out attack on farmers, and is simply wrong. He says that as portfolio holder for the environment, he is already engaging with farmers across Cornwall, and making sure they have support when they are in crisis, highlighting the Speak Out to Help Out initiative.
11.39am: Cllr Anne Double now speaks, saying she comes from a farming family, and that it is not just a job, but a way of life and that the tax proposals threaten its existence. She asks where the support from the local MPs are, and says it is not just a local issue, but a national one as well.
11.42am: Cllr Martin Worth is next to address the chamber, and talks of his family ties to farming. He says people forget what farmers do, pointing out days when trees have fallen in winds, and the farmers come out to help clear the roads, helping to support the community. He says the support is needed especially for young farmers.
11.45am: Cllr Peter Perry speaks, saying the tax changes will do irreversible damage for generations to come.
11.46am: Cllr Armand Toms is next, asking where would we be without our farmers, saying that without them, the country would starve.
11.47am: Cllr Adrian Parsons says the farming industry has faced huge changes in recent years, with more pressure added due to societal changes. He says the tax changes feel like being kicked when you are already down. He says that farming is money-hungry, with the need for constant investment.
11.49am: Cllr Dominic Fairman, a farmer himself, says that the introduction of agricultural property relief has seen the price of land increase tenfold, creating a barrier to new entrants into the industry, and says reform of the policy could be beneficial and allow a new generation to bring innovation into the industry, but the current proposals are ill-thought out and he hopes the Treasury can rethink the policy.
11.53am: The debate is opened to the rest of the chamber. The first to speak is Cllr David Harris, who says research suggests 75% of farms would be affected by the inheritance tax policy. He says it is unplanned and questions how farmers would be able to pay the huge bills they could face.
11.56am: Cllr Phillip Desmonde tells the chamber that farmers are not wealthy, and that the proposals could decimate the industry.
11.59am: Cllr Jennifer Cruse is next to speak, saying she is a former smallholder and understands how farming is a tough choice, and requires hard work. She says the changes will result in the sale of land, which will damage the future of the farming industry.
12.01pm: Cllr Alan Jewell says that as a fourth generation farmer he has worked hard to build his business, and that the policy is against family farms, not the huge factory farms which should be targeted.
12.04pm: Cllr John Conway says the latest budget was a continuation of an 'attack on Cornwall' where mining and fishing have previously been targeted, and now farming is under attack. He says it is an attack on the Cornish way of life.
12.09pm: Cllr Andrew Long says he is supporting the motion, but distances himself from some of the political point scoring and that the farming industry have faced a lack of support from Governments for many years, and not just the current one. He says the Government is betraying farmers, but is not the first to do so.
12.11pm: Cllr Michael Bunney says that he comes from a farming family, and that the industry is so important, especially with food security high on the agenda. He says the issue should not be a political football, and says councillors should work together to try and persuade the Government to change its policy.
12.13pm: Cllr Barry Jordan says he was bought up on a farm, and knows how hard farmers work day and night to sustain the country, and that the industry has been neglected for decades.
12.15pm: Cllr Jim Candy, also from a farming family, says that the issue of farmers and landowners need to be separated. He says no one in their right mind would invest millions into the land, plus money in livestock and machinery to make returns on the investment.
12.18pm: Cllr Tamsyn Widdon says she feels the motion is a political ploy and will not support it. She says Cllrs have previously supported the use of land for environmental protection, and that change is needed.
12.21pm: Cllr Laurie Magowan thanks 'those who have spoken measuredly' today. he says it is a pity the council is focussed on national policies rather than local ones. He says the tax changes aim to make inheritance tax more equitable, but agrees the council needs to understand the impact on Cornish farmers directly, and welcomes investment into the industry.
12.24pm: Cllr Alan Rowe says the council should focus on what it can change, and that he wanted to be a councillor to help support people in Cornwall. The chairman asks Cllr Rowe to focus on the farming motion, he says he will abstain and asks the chamber to look at issues where it can help people directly.
12.27pm: Cllr Paul Wills says his family are farmers, but have to work second jobs as the farm does not pay. He says he supports the motion, but does not believe a letter to Government will make any difference, and says farmers need to 'protest hard'.
12.29pm: Cllr Colin Martin says the Government are trying to say they are targeting rich landowners, but that they will find ways around it, meaning that ordinary farmers will be hit, rather than those who should be made to pay more.
12.32pm: Cllr John Fitter says he will support parts of the motion, but cannot support some of the more complex economic arguments. He says he cannot support a motion based on 'NFU statements that are unchallenged' and says the council are making themselves look silly.
12.35pm: Cllr Julian German asks if the individual section of the motion can be voted on independently, and that he would support sections two and three. The motion states:
- That the Leader of the Council writes to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the 6 Cornwall MPs, to outline the Council’s dismay at the decision in the Budget to restrict Agricultural Property Relief and calls on the Government to stop the Family Farm Tax.
2. That the Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change engages with local farmers and community representatives to consider what support the Council can provide to support them.
3. A progress update is provided to all Councillors, following the motion of 23rd May 2023 “Supporting Cornwall’s Farmers”
12.38pm: Cllr Tim Dwelly says the tax implies both to people who invest in land as well as farmers, and proposes an amendment, saying the council needs to understand the effect the policy would have on Cornish farms, and suggests the council produces a study into the number of farms that will be affected by the tax policy changes. Cllr Craker says he does not object to the idea, but wants to know if there would be a cost implication to the proposal.
12.41pm: Cllr David Harris asks for Cllr Dwelly to clarify the proposal - he says that to understand how many farms would be affected would be a huge cost to the authority as it would mean every farm would have to be assessed.
12.43pm: Cllr Laurie Magowan says previous motions have been approved with costs, and that it should be no different this time. The monitoring officer suggests adding 'subject to resources being available' to the amendment.
12.45pm: Cllr Colin Martin says there is no time to delay as the budget will be voted on in January, but Cllr Dwelly says that his amendment is not affecting any action from the rest of the motion, but will provide information needed for the continuation of the debate on Cornish farming in the months ahead.
12.48pm: The amendment calls for the council to produce an assessment of the number of Cornish farms affected by the tax changes. Cllr Craker says he will accept the amendment to the motion.
12.51pm: Cllr Tamsyn Widdon says the situation is so fluid that it will be impossible to get an accurate figure on the number of farms affected.
12.52pm: The chairman asks that members keep to the subject as there are ten members let to speak still. Cllr Martyn Alvey says that he does not feel the analysis is achievable.
12.53pm: Cllr Peter La Broy says that there is fundamental issue with the industry if the only entry route is via inheritance.
12.55pm: Cllr Stephen Barnes says the Tories are quick to forget they have been in charge for 14 years, and that Brexit has done more damage to the industry than the current proposals will. He says it is time to work together.
12.56pm: Cllr Connor Donnithorne says farmers of his generation are now considering leaving the industry in the light of the changes. He says the effects of the policy will not affect farmers alone, but also those throughout the local community.
12.59pm: Cllr Richard Williams-Pears says people live in a bit of an echo chamber, and that he had been looking forward to the debate, but that he has not heard anyone actually speak in favour of the policy.
1pm: Cllr Andrew Mitchell says he will speak in favour of the tax changes, and that he does not believe small farms will be affected. He says people who inherit houses often have to sell them due to taxes, but that no-one is speaking out on that issue. He says those with huge assets need to be taxed hard. He says if you wish to help the plight of farmers, getting rid of red tape would be far more beneficial. He suggests an amendment asking the leader to write to the Government urging talks to begin immediately to rejoin the EU.
1.04pm: The proposed amendment is seconded by Cllr John Fitter.
1.11pm: The meeting has adjourned for lunch, and will resume at 2pm
2pm: The meeting has resumed, and the monitoring officer is explaining that an amendment calling for rejoining the EU is inadmissable as it negates the intent of the original motion, and therefore it falls.
2.04pm: Cllr Linda Taylor is next to speak and reflects on the way of life of farmers, and says she does not believe the Government understands the rural way of life. She says we are lucky in Cornwall to have access to he countryside and farms, and that we are all impacted by the way of life. She asks for the whole chamber to support the motion.
2.07pm: Cllr Pete Mitchell tells the chamber he is supportive of Cllr Dwelly's earlier amendment as wants to understand the actual impact of the policy.
2.08pm: Cllr Craker is now summing up and says it has been an interesting debate, with some very good contributions, with some first-hand knowledge from farmers within the chamber. He says he hopes councillors will go back to their MPs and that they in turn will put pressure on the Government to change the policy.
2.10pm: The motion is carried.
2.11pm: We now move onto councillors questions to Cabinet.
3.10pm: Today's meeting has now concluded.