I am sure many Herefordians will be concerned over the news that Herfordshire council is evicting a number of tenant farmers from council land in order to sell this land to pay off some of their ill-conceived and massive debts. Not only are they depriving hard working tenant farmers of their livelihood which helps to feed the nation, but they are throwing away a long term revenue stream and the future of potential young farmers. Have they missed the point that agricultural land is growing in value at an annual compound rate of 9% per annum? Why is Herefordshire going in a different direction with regard to tenant farmers than our neighbouring counties? I suggest it is because of council incompetence over the past few years, it is easy and convenient for them to blame a reduction in central government financial support, but the problems started well before those cut-backs.

It is my opinion that Herefordshire council have been profligate with tax payer’s money in very many ways including, unnecessary ill thought out schemes and the employment of expensive consultants. We are told that to recruit top quality council officers they have to be paid top dollar, some of them are being paid circa £100,000 per annum: if therefore they are so good then why does the council need consultants, surely they could do it in house? There is also the matter of the cost of a number of lost court cases.

Surely, the solution lies in the hands of the electorate which in this county has a poor turnout record in local elections. I am a lifelong Conservative voter who cannot vote for our current conservative administration.

Peter Cocks

Lower Bullingham