Tuesday
24
June
MS slams "behind closed doors" farms sale
01/10/2023 @ 08:55
The intervention of Audit Wales is needed into a decision to sell two Powys County Council properties in north Powys, the area's MS has said.
Last week it emerged Powys County Council held a private meeting to make a decision to sell a farm near Welshpool to a private purchaser without offering it on the open market.
Local Senedd Member, Russell George, has raised concern about the decision-making process with both Powys County Council and Audit Wales after being informed the current tenant of the two farms had not been informed of any prospective sale, nor had they been offered the opportunity to purchase the property, farm buildings and land which they currently rent.
Commenting, Mr George said: "I am concerned that Powys County Council may have not provided best value for money in a decision they have recently taken and were also at odds to their principles of openness, inclusivity, integrity, and accountability.
"I understand that there are other worried tenant farmers who are concerned that their farms could be up for sale next without their knowledge.
"I was informed the current tenant of the two farms had not been informed of any prospective sale, nor had they been offered the opportunity to purchase the property, farm buildings and land which they currently rent.
"It’s worrying that the Cabinet at Powys County Council made a business decision in a confidential setting which was not open to public scrutiny, I am also concerned that the local authority did not offer the sale of the two farms on the open market or provide an opportunity for the current sitting tenant to purchase the land and buildings.
"I am concerned that the decision the local authority made, may have been undertaken without all the correct information.
"I have also taken the matter up with Audit Wales to ask if they could investigate whether the local authority followed its own polices of openness, inclusivity, integrity, accountability and whether the taxpayer obtained best value for money regarding the decision taken in the confidential session."
Last week it emerged Powys County Council held a private meeting to make a decision to sell a farm near Welshpool to a private purchaser without offering it on the open market.Local Senedd Member, Russell George, has raised concern about the decision-making process with both Powys County Council and Audit Wales after being informed the current tenant of the two farms had not been informed of any prospective sale, nor had they been offered the opportunity to purchase the property, farm buildings and land which they currently rent.
Commenting, Mr George said: "I am concerned that Powys County Council may have not provided best value for money in a decision they have recently taken and were also at odds to their principles of openness, inclusivity, integrity, and accountability.
"I understand that there are other worried tenant farmers who are concerned that their farms could be up for sale next without their knowledge.
"I was informed the current tenant of the two farms had not been informed of any prospective sale, nor had they been offered the opportunity to purchase the property, farm buildings and land which they currently rent.
"It’s worrying that the Cabinet at Powys County Council made a business decision in a confidential setting which was not open to public scrutiny, I am also concerned that the local authority did not offer the sale of the two farms on the open market or provide an opportunity for the current sitting tenant to purchase the land and buildings.
"I am concerned that the decision the local authority made, may have been undertaken without all the correct information.
"I have also taken the matter up with Audit Wales to ask if they could investigate whether the local authority followed its own polices of openness, inclusivity, integrity, accountability and whether the taxpayer obtained best value for money regarding the decision taken in the confidential session."
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