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Agenda item

British Farming Motion

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.

 

 

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:

  • Agree on the draft terms of reference for the farming motion, with the caveat that these would be reviewed at the first meeting of the Working Group.
  • To appoint a member from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to Chair the Farming Motion Working Group. A proposal had been made by the Chair, but if there were alternative suggestions, a vote would be held.
  • To agree to seek nominations from political groups for the remaining seats on the  Working Group and delegate authority to the Head of Democratic and Electoral Services to appoint the members. This would enable the group to be formed quickly and begin scheduling meetings.

 

It was emphasised that scheduling early meetings was crucial to providing external bodies with sufficient notice for participation and to ensure adequate time for reporting back by July.

 

The proposal to elect David Cunningham as the Chair of the  Farming Motion  Working Group was seconded, put to the vote and agreed by the Committee.

 

RESOLVED: The Committee elected David Cunningham as the Chair of the British Farming Motion Task-and-Finish Working Group.

 

The recommendations in the agenda supplement were then proposed by Councillor Neill, seconded by Councillor Tony Slater, put to the vote and agreed by the Committee.

 

RESOLVED:

1.     To agree the draft terms of reference for the Farming Motion Working Group.

2.     To appoint Councillor David Cunningham chair of the Farming Motion Working Group.

3.     To agree that nominations will be sought from political groups for the remaining seats on the Farming Motion Working Group. (Two Conservative, two Liberal Democrat, and one Green Member)

4.     To delegate authority to the Head of Democratic and Electoral Services to appoint the membership of the Working Group based on the nominations made by political groups.

 

Supporting documents:

 

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