The Farms Estate (Interviewing) Committee of Devon Council met on Thursday 13 August 2026. The primary focus of the meeting was to interview shortlisted applicants for a vacant farm holding. The committee's proceedings were largely held in private to protect the confidentiality of the applicants and sensitive financial information.

Farm Relettings: Great Southdown Farm, Burlescombe

The committee was scheduled to interview shortlisted applicants for the vacant holding at Great Southdown Farm in Burlescombe. This item was to be considered in accordance with the Cabinet Procedure Rules and Regulation 5 of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012. The electoral divisions affected by this decision are Willand and Uffculme.

The report pack indicated that the interviews would be conducted exclusively by Councillors Henry Gent, Louise Wainwright, Mick Cockerham, and Ms Liz Warner, who is the Tenants' representative. The timetable and supporting documents for these interviews were circulated separately.

The agenda noted that this part of the meeting would be held in private, with the press and public excluded. This was recommended under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972. The grounds for exclusion were that the discussions would likely involve the disclosure of exempt information, specifically relating to the identity of tenants and their financial or business affairs, as well as the financial affairs of the County Council. The decision to exclude the public was made on the basis that the public interest in maintaining this exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information, in accordance with Section 36 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Members were reminded that Part II reports, which contained this exempt information, should be treated with strict confidentiality. They were instructed not to disclose or pass on this information to any other person and to dispose of these documents carefully, returning them to the Democratic Services Officer at the conclusion of the meeting.

The meeting was scheduled to take place at Venture House (Board Room), 1 Capital Court, Bittern Road, Sowton Industrial Estate, Exeter, EX2 7FW.