Farm tenants plough happily into future

Farm tenants on Staffordshire County Council's 8,700 acres of public owned land are confident about the future following the first of a new series of regular meetings with the authority.

The recent meeting at Stafford's White Eagle Polish Club, followed the council's review of its farms land holdings, which earlier this year secured the future for tenant farmers and injected a further £1 million investment.

Regular meetings are taking place between tenants and council land managers and leading councillors with the aim of increasing understanding and co-operation.

Council deputy leader Councillor Robert Simpson, who led the recent review, said there was a growing level of mutual respect and understanding developing.

"Farming really is a vital part of the economic and social fabric of Staffordshire, and the county council's land holdings play a central role in nurturing new entrants and helping them grow their business.

"Sustainable local food production is very much in the news and our farmers are the key to ensuring food security for our community. These are very important concerns. We want to provide our farmers with a sound base to build success.

"The recent review gave us the chance to look afresh at the whole enterprise and refocus the operation, delivering maximum value for the wider community, the tax payer and the farmers themselves.

"We have to make the most of all county council owned assets. It's what the public expect and deserve. But we can do this while supporting our farmers. That's also what the community needs." Councillor Simpson added that the review had brought everyone together.

"We have always said that the review put nothing off limits and that it would look at every angle and every opportunity. We are actively exploring opportunities for new investment for the farms and new projects to involve schools in learning about food, farming and the environment," he said.

Tenants Association Chair Graham Clay, who attended the meeting with 36 tenants said the dialogue and partnership was valuable. "It has been very valuable to take the councillors out to see our operations and to share with them our experiences and aspirations.

"We understand the need to consolidate the operation to ensure County Farms are viable and competitive, and the county team understand our concerns that investments made in the past are understood in any future consolidation of holdings. "Staffordshire really is showing it is serious about farming and supporting fledgling rural enterprises, helping us and the community to prosper. Now we are working through the detail to ensure future changes are managed sensitively," he said.

Staffordshire NFU Chairman Mike Madders said his members were now more confident about the future.

"The overwhelming consensus is that the future looks bright for Staffordshire County Council tenant farmers. Our biggest concern was about the future of individual farmers, and the county team seems genuinely committed to being flexible on lease terms to try to meet the business needs of each tenant, and supporting their aspirations wherever possible.

"We have been really pleased with progress we have made together."