'Catastrophic' farm inheritance tax: Derry City & Strabane District Council to host special meeting

At this month’s Full Council Meeting, DUP Alderman Julie Middleton said the Labour Government’s recently-unveiled plan, which will see a 20 percent inheritance tax on any farming properties valued above £1 million, will “affect local farmers in the worst possible way”.

She noted that an Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) rally, on Monday, November 18, was attended by “many thousands” of farmers and said council must “unite behind our farming communities and send a strong message that enough is enough”.

UUP Alderman Derek Hussey attended the UFU rally and warned that the tax would have an “absolutely catastrophic impact” on farms as well as the wider community.

He requested to put forward motion on the issue, however Mayor and SDLP councillor Lilian Barr, who chaired Wednesday’s meeting, said she would not accept his or any other members’ proposals until the next Full Council Meeting.

Alderman Hussey argued that the motion was in response to the very recent rally and the tax was important to discuss as it “impacts local electors”.

“These are people we represent,” he said. “Should we have to wait another month?”.

Sinn Féin councillor Paul Boggs also attempted to put forward a motion and argued that, as there was a long wait until the next meeting and motions are not traditionally put forward during the December meeting, councillor Barr should consider some urgency in relation to the proposals.

He added: “Whether or not you’re going to accept proposals, it’s imperative that we send a strong message that we stand with and support family farmers.”

Independent councillor Jason Barr also urged the Mayor to reconsider her decision, as the taxation was a “pressing issue” for his Sperrin constituents.

Councillor Jason Barr added: “Instead of kicking the can down the road to next month when traditionally previous Mayors have not accepted motions in December, we should deal with the situation and show people that we are there for them.”

Sinn Féin councillor Christopher Jackson said he appreciated councillor Barr’s ruling and her rationale for doing so, but the issue had been highlighted “quite extensively” by the district’s rural community.

“We don’t want to see pop-up motions, we want them to be given proper consideration,” he concluded. “But on this issue and the time-frame we’re in we don’t want to be reintroducing motions in the December meeting.”

Councillor Barr offered a single-issue Special Council Meeting, to allow members to discuss motions in full, which will take place “as soon as possible”.

Andrew Balfour,

Local Democracy Reporter.