Tandridge Borough Council have agreed a motion to support family farms in the district and ask the government not to implement the Family Farm Tax.

The motion was put forward by Councillor Windsor and also commits the Council to writing to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and MP Claire Coutinho, to express its concern at the decision to restrict Agricultural Property Relief and ask the government to stop the Family Farm Tax.

In addition, the Council will help promote local farm produce and encourage residents to shop local. A number of farms have received grants from the Council’s Rural England Prosperity Fund to support new initiatives and improvements and details about these projects will also be made available.

Councillor Catherine Sayer, Leader of the Council, said: “We are a rural district with a large number of working farms. We recognise the important role farmers have in our economy and environment. Many are struggling and the changes to inheritance tax are likely to have an adverse impact on family farms.”

Councillor Helena Windsor said: “I am delighted my fellow councillors supported the motion. The Family Farm Tax will have a detrimental impact on farms and the ability to pass on farms to the next generation. The number of farmers in the public gallery demonstrated the strength of feeling about this issue and I am grateful for their support.”

Full details of the motion are available on the Council’s website.