NFU Cymru has held talks with the new leader of Powys County Council to seek clarity on the future of the county’s council farm estate, amid rising concern among tenants over the security of their tenancies.

Union representatives met with Cllr Jake Berriman at County Hall in Llandrindod Wells on Wednesday, May 28, the day after a well-attended public meeting in Sarn, near Newtown, where worried tenants gathered to discuss reports that some had been served with notices to quit.

The Sarn meeting, organised by Kerry Community Council Chairman Cllr David Jones, included input from Powys County Council officers and NFU Cymru President Aled Jones, who emphasised the importance of council farms in Wales’ most rural county.

Cllr Jones also attended the following day’s meeting between the council leader and NFU Cymru’s county advisers for Brecon & Radnor and Montgomeryshire, Stella Owen and Grug Evans.

NFU Cymru Brecon & Radnor County Adviser Stella Owen said: “Council farm tenancies play a pivotal role in enabling new entrants and young farming families to take their first steps into farming. While we understand that council farm estates will change and evolve over time, it’s crucial that this avenue remains open and any contraction of a council farm estate would naturally be of great concern.

“We’re grateful for the early opportunity to meet with Council Leader Cllr Jake Berriman and we have encouraged the council to keep an ongoing dialogue with us and their tenants on this issue.”

NFU Cymru Montgomeryshire adviser Grug Evans added: “We have stressed the need for clear communication with tenants to help alleviate concerns and assist with long-term planning.

“In those unfortunate situations where tenants have been served notice to quit, we’ve urged the council to prioritise provisions to support those affected and aspire to assisting them in continuing their farming journey.”