James Evans MS for Brecon & Radnorshire has said he is aware of at least two farm tenants that have been served notice in Breconshire / Radnorshire.

This follows reports of 19 farms in North Powys recently receiving notices to quit from their local authority, Powys County Council. The council has said that some of these farms will be given another term.

MS for Brecon & Radnorshire, James Evans said: “In addition to the 19 tenants served notice in Montgomeryshire, there are at least two in Brecon & Radnorshire. Both will be made homeless and are receiving little to no support from the Council.

“I have made repeated calls for the Lib Dem/Labour run Council to come clean with their strategy for County Farms and confirm whether they are selling County Farms off. We get no clarity from either Cllr Gibson-Watt, who was the portfolio holder until a few weeks ago, or Cllr Berriman, who is now in charge.

“This isn’t just one or two farms being served notice in order to be sold off – this is now over 20 in number. Cllr Berriman should put forward his policy for County Farms and be open to scrutiny on this. For the families whose lives are being devastated by these decisions, the Lib Dem/Labour Council should be supporting them to find alternative accommodation at the very minimum.

“I intend to raise this in the Senedd this week and question the First Minister on how the Welsh Government is safeguarding the County Farms estate network across Wales.”

In response to comments made by James Evans, a spokesperson for Powys County Council said: “The council is undertaking a strategic rationalisation of its property estate including its commercial and county farms portfolio in line with its Corporate Asset Policy, which has been agreed by Cabinet. This is to ensure that our assets are managed efficiently, sustainably and aligns with the evolving needs of our communities.

“By reviewing and streamlining our property holdings, we aim to reduce maintenance liabilities, improve operational efficiency, and release capital from underutilised or surplus assets.

“The capital receipts generated through this process will be reinvested to support the delivery of the council’s priority projects – enhancing essential services, modernising infrastructure and driving forward our long-term vision for a Stronger, Fairer, Greener Powys and that we become more sustainable.”