Talks over sell-off of Shropshire Council sites
Plans to sell off Shropshire Council's smallholdings will be discussed by councillors in the coming months.
The cost-cutting move was revealed earlier this year in April when it was announced the council's 18 remaining smallholdings could be sold off on the open market.
The plans went to consultation during May and people were asked to give their thoughts on the scheme.
It closed at the end of the month and Shropshire Council says it is now considering the responses.
A spokesperson for the authority said: "The responses to the consultation are currently being collated, and a cabinet report that considers the responses will then be prepared."
The council's forward plan for cabinet says an "smallholding update" will be given at its meeting on September 7.
The agenda item is listed alongside an update on University Centre Shrewsbury accommodation – but both are currently listed as "fully exempt" meaning they will not be heard in front of members of the press or public.
The council changed its policy on smallholdings earlier this year to allow both tenants and their direct descendants to purchase the 18 properties, which total more than 400 hectares.
Families were told they would have first refusal on the smallholdings.
But the council now intends to maximise income by selling to the highest bidder.
The council says it is being forced to sell the land because of spiralling costs of repairs and maintenance.
Its second option would be selling it to an organisation wanting to maintain the estate and secure access to farming for future generations.
But the plans mean families living on the farms face an uncertain future.
Also on the plan is an update on the commissioning of youth activities and regional adoption agency.
