A CALL for a special farming role to be established for one of Pembrokeshire County Council’s senior councillors is to be heard later this week.
In a question to council leader Cllr Jon Harvey, to be heard at the December 12 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s full council meeting, Conservative group leader Cllr Di Clements will ask: “With the recent changes in the budget from the UK Labour Government on Inheritance Tax and Agricultural Property Relief, many Pembrokeshire farmers are feeling concerned for the future of their family farms, many in Pembrokeshire which have been in the same family for generations.
“I have always found it disappointing that in all the years I have been a councillor, and the major contribution farming has to this county’s economic, cultural and environmental well-being, there has never been a Cabinet Member’s title with rural affairs or farming, or agriculture within it.
“To show that this council recognises the importance of agriculture, and the hundreds of millions of pounds generated by farming, will the Leader consider including it in one of the titles of his Cabinet Members’ portfolio?”
Cllr Clements will also ask a second question of the council’s leader, who replaced Cllr David Simpson in the role back in May.
Pembroke St Mary North member Cllr Harvey beat fellow leadership hopeful Conservative group leader Di Clements by 30 votes to 27 to secure the role.
Cllr Clements will ask: “The leader has now had some time to settle into his new role. Could he outline his key priorities for the future and explain how he intends to ensure value for money for council taxpayers on the services it provides?”
Both questions will be heard that the December 12 meeting.
