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Issue - meetings

British Farming Motion

 

 

Meeting: 31/03/2025 - Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Item 173)

173 British Farming Motion pdf icon PDF 533 KB

Purpose

To consider the Farming motion (attached) which was referred to the Committee by full Council on 19 March 2025 and whether to form 'Task & Finish' group to engage with interested parties about the local affects of Inheritance Tax changes.

 

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chair had introduced welcomed the formation ofthe British Farming Motion Working Group, as proposed by the Council Leader at the Full Council meeting, 19 March 2025.

 

It was explained that the British Farming Motion Working Group would focus on examining the financial implications of inheritance tax changes on farming in the Cotswold District.

Paul James, Business and Economic Officer for Cotswold District Council (CDC), had agreed to support the group. Whilst he acknowledged that farming and taxation were not his specialist areas, his strong understanding of the local business and economic context was considered to be a valuable asset. The Chair had expressed thanks for this involvement.

 

David Cunningham had been approached by the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to chair the Farming Motion Working Group. The Chair asked the Committee to support his appointment, as his strong financial knowledge was considered vital to the group’s focus on inheritance tax and its impact on the farming sector.

 

Members expressed concerns that the Task-and-Finish Group's approach might be influenced by political considerations, potentially limiting its ability to objectively assess the impact of Inheritance Tax on Cotswold farmers.  Members suggested that the Terms of Reference be refined to ensure an impartial approach.

 

The Chair explained that the structure of the British Farming Motion Task-and-Finish Group should reflect the political makeup of the Council. Additional Councillors could be invited to attend meetings to reflect their areas of expertise. A variety of external bodies would be sought to attend and inform the Task-and-Finish Group.

 

The Head of Democratic and Electoral Services explained that the Working Group’s Draft Terms of Reference stated that its purpose was to engage with interested parties to understand the local impacts of inheritance tax changes. Any wording about opposing the Inheritance Tax changes had come from the Farming Motion presented to the Full Council. The Group’s role was to better understand the impacts of the tax change rather than taking a stance against the changes.

 

Members considered the content of the Farming Motion and discussed the scope of issues to be included. Clarification was sought on whether the focus would be solely financial or encompass broader farming matters. Members discussed the processes by which Members could put forward suggestions to be considered by the Task-and-Finish Group.

 

The Interim Executive Director noted that the Committee did not need to delve into the scope of the discussion of the British Farming Motion Group or any prejudgments at this time, as the first meeting of the Task-and-Finish Group would determine the scope and approach for reviewing the information. 

 

Members discussed the composition of the Working Group. The Head of Democratic and Election Services explained that, to meet the July deadline to report to Council, electing the Chair of the Working Group would facilitate the scheduling of meetings.

 

The Head of Democratic and Election Services outlined the points for approval in the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting as follows:

 

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