An emergency decision will be taken this week on the sale of a farm in Almondbury in a move worth more than half a million pounds to Kirklees Council.
Lumb Head Farm is a council-owned farm holding in Lumb Lane, Newsome. It forms part of the former Ramsden Estate and lies within the Green Belt.
Four years ago the council approved the sale of Lumb Head farmhouse and up to 40 acres of land.
Council officers are now in advanced negotiations for the sale with a revised area of up to about 61 acres. The Lumb Head Farm tenancy comprises an area of about 113 acres and the rest of the land will revert back to the council.
The sale may include three small parcels of council-owned woodland that border the farm holding. If so, they would be subject to a Tree Preservation Order.
The buyers have confirmed that funding for the purchase has been put in place, but the finance offer is time limited and subject to review if no commitment is made by the end of June.
With time running out, Kirklees Council has said an emergency decision will be taken by Chief Executive Adrian Lythgo on behalf of the Council’s Executive on Thursday.
Mr Lythgo has been left temporarily in charge of the council while negotiations continue among Labour Party members over who should become the next leader.
The council says: “The Chief Executive is empowered, in consultation with the Leader or relevant Committee Chair, to make decisions on any issues in circumstances which he reasonably considers to be an emergency, reporting to the Cabinet or relevant Committee as soon as possible thereafter.”
It says the Chief Executive is using his powers “as we are uncertain about whether or not there will be a resolution to the appointment of a leader.”
And it said the sale would generate a significant capital receipt and produce revenue savings associated with the management of the tenancy.
Almondbury and Newsome ward members have been consulted about the proposals.
Clr Julie Stewart-Turner is in agreement and no other comments were received.
The council says: “A decision of Cabinet is required as it is anticipated that the receipt will exceed the £500k limit officer delegation limit,
“The disposal will deliver revenue cost savings associated with the council’s management of the holding as landlord.”
