HEREFORDSHIRE'S Green Party has criticised the way the local authority is handling the sell-off of the county's tenant farms.

Herefordshire Council has spent Friday and today issuing notices to 'farm business' tenants, two months after agreeing to sell all of its county farms.

But the Green Party says the notices should be withdrawn with a clear action plan and timetable agreed and discussed with the tenants.

"We believe that an opportunity was missed to look at more creative ways of running the County estate, which had been badly neglected for many years," said Green member, Cllr Jenny Bartlett.

"The decision was made with no real consideration of the options put forward by the General Overview and Scrutiny Committee working group, of which I was a member.

"Given GOSC's recommendation to retain a reduced estate via partial sales, why wasn't this option costed so that we could make a proper evaluation of this option?

"It is quite clear that cabinet never had any intention of even acknowledging GOSC's recommendation and that the decision to sell had already been made."

December's Cabinet meeting came despite challenges from the National Farmers Union and the Tenant Farmers Association, among others.

Fellow Green, Cllr Felicity Norman, said: "When the decision was made by the cabinet, assurances were given that the process would be handled carefully, with full support and advice being given to the tenants, who would also be given the opportunity to purchase their farms. This does not appear to be the case.

"We are calling for all notices to quit to be withdrawn until a clear plan of action has been drawn up, a timetable produced and full discussions held with tenants and their representatives."

Herefordshire Council says the period of notices varies between 12 - 22 months.

Lifetime and retirement tenancies are unaffected by the decision.

Cllr Patricia Morgan, deputy leader of the council, said: "As funding becomes ever tighter, the notices have been issued to ensure certainty for tenants and we will support tenants to ensure they receive the support and help they require.

"A full disposal plan for the structured sale of the smallholdings will be reviewed by cabinet in April, to ensure the best possible value for money for the local community."

She said the council continues to support tenants on a one-to-one basis offering advice and training.