please please help me

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s wilson

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Hi all i just dont no where to turn and need help urgent. I have been renting our field for nearly ten yrs from our local parish council, but to my dismay thay are refuseing to renew our contract on the grounds of injurious weeds, ie stinging nettles, also not mowing the field i was always on the understanding verbally this was for my gateway entrance . is there anyway i can contest this ruleing as a unworkable contract. i been told to move of by the 12th august with no notice my heart is breaking i have had my horses for 20 yrs and it just seems like a death sentence. please understand how can you mow a 2 acre field holding 3 horses when there is no grass to mow and as for nettles i dont understand its the country side. please can anybody advise me in the slightest, i have been on to c advise bit this could be beyound my refusal date. regards s wilson
 
Hello and welcome to the forum :)
Firstly, I am so sorry you have been put in this horrible situation, I honestly do feel for you!
I don't know much about the council or what grounds they have but could you write them a letter explaining the need for the field and how you will cut down the nettles if they renew your contract?
 
I can't really help but just wanted to ask about your contract. Around here it is common for council land to be rented on an annual basis and I'm surprised after 10 years that you are not entitled to more notice .....have you had a warning about the weeds?
 
The Weeds Act 1959 says you should control the injurious weeds. As you've had the field for years, have you not sprayed it or removed weeds? The mowing thing sounds a bit odd, presumably it doesn't need mowing? Have you ever harrowed/fertilised? If you haven't properly managed the field, they will want you off, I guess. Appeal and ask for more time and sort out whatever issues they say are there.
 
You can get rid of nettles by pulling them out whilst wearing washing up gloves, (wear long sleeves and trousers!). It is easiest to do when the ground is a bit damp. The horses will eat them when they have wilted.
 
s wilson said:
Hi all i just dont no where to turn and need help urgent. I have been renting our field for nearly ten yrs from our local parish council, but to my dismay thay are refuseing to renew our contract on the grounds of injurious weeds, ie stinging nettles, also not mowing the field i was always on the understanding verbally this was for my gateway entrance . is there anyway i can contest this ruleing as a unworkable contract. i been told to move of by the 12th august with no notice my heart is breaking i have had my horses for 20 yrs and it just seems like a death sentence. please understand how can you mow a 2 acre field holding 3 horses when there is no grass to mow and as for nettles i dont understand its the country side. please can anybody advise me in the slightest, i have been on to c advise bit this could be beyound my refusal date. regards s wilson.....................
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the stingers were there before we took over the field, which we die remove but thay have since grown back. due to the fact over the last ten yrs we have been broken into five times and every time takeing our strimmers.it does not matter how secure we are thay find a way in as you probably all no.
 
Get some legal advice asap. Check that nettles really are classed as injurious weeds, I wouldn't have thought that they were as they are not poisonous. Is there a public footpath through the field? Is it still accessible to the public, or is it so overgrown that walkers have been complaining to the council?
As for equipment being stolen, the best way to counter that is to keep the equipment at home and take it with you when you are ready to use it.
TBH, it does rather sound as if the land has been over-stocked for years and is now showing the signs of neglect. If you manage to persuade the council to allow you to stay, or if find some more land to graze your horses on, I suggest that you borrow some sheep to clear the field up. The make a world of difference in a short time.
 
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For the sake of piece I'd contact a local farmer and get the field topped asap - it will cut nettles and not touch grass if it's short anyway. Your horses will probably eat up wilted cut nettles.
 
Sounds like they want the land kept tidy and free from the nettles. I guess if it says in your contract that you are to be caretaker of the land and keep it in good order, and you haven't, then they are within their rights to call in the lease.
 
thistles, docks and ragwort are classed as injourous weeds under the Weeds Act. Were you to keep nettles down around the fencing/gateways? Do you have alot of docks? check your contract thoroughly ans see if you can negotiate. Land costs money to maintain, especially if overstocked-some of the money saved by being on council land needs to be put back into it.
I can't see how they can turf you off without a prior warning though-have you had warnings before?
 
s wilson said:
the stingers were there before we took over the field, which we die remove but thay have since grown back. due to the fact over the last ten yrs we have been broken into five times and every time takeing our strimmers.it does not matter how secure we are thay find a way in as you probably all no.
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........... i would also like to add there is no right of way in the field, and running ajacent to us is our local kids park which is also managed by the parish more overgrown with stingers than our field. thank you all so much for your help
 
s wilson said:
........... i would also like to add there is no right of way in the field, and running ajacent to us is our local kids park which is also managed by the parish more overgrown with stingers than our field. thank you all so much for your help
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Get your legal advice and in your reply to the PC mention that you have found it difficult to keep the weeds down because they re-seed from those in the neighbouring playground.
 
If you have an annual tenancy they have to give you a months notice. Nettles are not classed as injurious weeds, http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/regulation/wildlife/enforcement/injuriousweeds.aspx.
Do you have a written agreement? If you do I would make an appointment with a land agent to find out your options, I would also write to the Parish Clerk stating the terms of your agreement regarding notice giving.
Is this the first time the issue Has been raised?
 
Pearlsasinger said:
Get your legal advice and in your reply to the PC mention that you have found it difficult to keep the weeds down because they re-seed from those in the neighbouring playground.
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thanks again this has all be taken on board. think i have just sust this all out, goes back to the winter months when we had heavy snow, i complained that only one rd was gritted in our village minor rd, just so happens most of the parish council live in this rd
 
s wilson said:
thanks again this has all be taken on board. think i have just sust this all out, goes back to the winter months when we had heavy snow, i complained that only one rd was gritted in our village minor rd, just so happens most of the parish council live in this rd[/

Our PC would have no input on what roads are gritted. Frankly I would not go down this line. You admit to having a problem with nettles, maybe it is time to sort it in the field you rent. The fact other fields have them is irrelevant. You say there is no grass to mow, what are the horses eating?
It is possible to spray nettles, even if it meant going to a garden centre and buying horticultural stuff or could hire someone with a knapsack.
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jrp204 said:
s wilson said:
thanks again this has all be taken on board. think i have just sust this all out, goes back to the winter months when we had heavy snow, i complained that only one rd was gritted in our village minor rd, just so happens most of the parish council live in this rd[/

Our PC would have no input on what roads are gritted. Frankly I would not go down this line. You admit to having a problem with nettles, maybe it is time to sort it in the field you rent. The fact other fields have them is irrelevant. You say there is no grass to mow, what are the horses eating?
It is possible to spray nettles, even if it meant going to a garden centre and buying horticultural stuff or could hire someone with a knapsack.
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This. PC would have no control over gritting - that's down to local Highways.
I'd look to negotiate some time to get your field compliant with whateer it says in your Lease. Hope you manage to sort to retain your field.
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jrp204 said:
s wilson said:
thanks again this has all be taken on board. think i have just sust this all out, goes back to the winter months when we had heavy snow, i complained that only one rd was gritted in our village minor rd, just so happens most of the parish council live in this rd[/

Our PC would have no input on what roads are gritted. Frankly I would not go down this line. You admit to having a problem with nettles, maybe it is time to sort it in the field you rent. The fact other fields have them is irrelevant. You say there is no grass to mow, what are the horses eating?
It is possible to spray nettles, even if it meant going to a garden centre and buying horticultural stuff or could hire someone with a knapsack.
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im sorry but the gritt was surplied to a yellow bin and all was used on one rd..... horses are eating grass just not enough to mow
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OP it sounds to me like there's a lot of issues here and I suspect that somewhere along the line you've (inadvertantly) upset someone on your parish council as this sounds a bit like sour grapes if I'm honest.

I think, for now, you should act quickly by getting rid of the nettles asap; beg, borrow or steal a strimmer if you have to - you should be able to hire garden equipment from somewhere in your area - and sort that out as soon as you can.

Write to the Clerk of the Parish Council to tell them what you've done and that for the future you will ensure this matter is kept under control.

When you took on the lease of the field from the PC - how was it dealt with? i.e. was it by a sealed bid system, where if there was more than one person interested in renting the land, you'd have to fill out a form with how much £££ you'd be prepared to pay for rent, and the PC would then open all bids and let the field go to the highest bidder.

TBH, and I'm being brutally honest here, I'm surprised that you've been allowed to rent land under a parish council arrangement for so long. And certainly there would have been, or should have been, written terms and conditions attached, i.e. that you could only have the land for a certain time each year and that for such-and-such a period, you would have to vacate the land in order for it to be rested and/or tended. It sounds like your horses have been there for way too long TBH, as you say they've eaten it all down so there's nothing to mow - and the best thing that could happen, if the PC were happy, would be for the land to be grazed by sheep for a month or two as they'd clean it up nicely and it would be as good as new, and you could then (if the PC agreed) move your horses back onto it again.

Just a word to the wise............ you've used your original name in both your username and have also signed it on your post. I don't want to be picky, but please do bear in mind that this is a public forum and you may wish NOT to have your name spread out for the world to see!!:) You're obviously new to the forum, so welcome! BUT just some friendly advice - you might wish to choose a username which is like a lot of the ones on here, i.e. not disclosing your true identity. Just to keep yourself safe & hassle-free basically! Hope this all works out for you anyway. Can appreciate how stressed you are - and know its difficult for you right now.

Personally I'd look around for other grazing/livery at the mo, just in case this does all go t!ts up for you........... sorry to be a realist.
 
MiJodsR2BlinkinTite said:
OP it sounds to me like there's a lot of issues here and I suspect that somewhere along the line you've (inadvertantly) upset someone on your parish council as this sounds a bit like sour grapes if I'm honest.

I think, for now, you should act quickly by getting rid of the nettles asap; beg, borrow or steal a strimmer if you have to - you should be able to hire garden equipment from somewhere in your area - and sort that out as soon as you can.

Write to the Clerk of the Parish Council to tell them what you've done and that for the future you will ensure this matter is kept under control.

When you took on the lease of the field from the PC - how was it dealt with? i.e. was it by a sealed bid system, where if there was more than one person interested in renting the land, you'd have to fill out a form with how much £££ you'd be prepared to pay for rent, and the PC would then open all bids and let the field go to the highest bidder.

TBH, and I'm being brutally honest here, I'm surprised that you've been allowed to rent land under a parish council arrangement for so long. And certainly there would have been, or should have been, written terms and conditions attached, i.e. that you could only have the land for a certain time each year and that for such-and-such a period, you would have to vacate the land in order for it to be rested and/or tended. It sounds like your horses have been there for way too long TBH, as you say they've eaten it all down so there's nothing to mow - and the best thing that could happen, if the PC were happy, would be for the land to be grazed by sheep for a month or two as they'd clean it up nicely and it would be as good as new, and you could then (if the PC agreed) move your horses back onto it again.

Just a word to the wise............ you've used your original name in both your username and have also signed it on your post. I don't want to be picky, but please do bear in mind that this is a public forum and you may wish NOT to have your name spread out for the world to see!!:) You're obviously new to the forum, so welcome! BUT just some friendly advice - you might wish to choose a username which is like a lot of the ones on here, i.e. not disclosing your true identity. Just to keep yourself safe & hassle-free basically! Hope this all works out for you anyway. Can appreciate how stressed you are - and know its difficult for you right now.

Personally I'd look around for other grazing/livery at the mo, just in case this does all go t!ts up for you........... sorry to be a realist.
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thanks for your help, the name used is not my name, i love horses it poeple thats the problem well most thanks again
 
Sounds to me as though someone on the PC has got their eyes on the field. Do you know any of the committee members, or can you approach any for support? Get them to get the secretary to have this added to the agenda for the next meeting (or ask for it to be covered under Any Other Business) so that it is fully raised and discussed and meanwhile get the support of one of more of the councillors. As a democratic organisation they should have discussed this fully and you are entitled to ask to see minutes of the meetings - ask a few questions, get it raised and voted on, and make sure your arguments are heard.
 
JillA said:
Sounds to me as though someone on the PC has got their eyes on the field. Do you know any of the committee members, or can you approach any for support? Get them to get the secretary to have this added to the agenda for the next meeting (or ask for it to be covered under Any Other Business) so that it is fully raised and discussed and meanwhile get the support of one of more of the councillors. As a democratic organisation they should have discussed this fully and you are entitled to ask to see minutes of the meetings - ask a few questions, get it raised and voted on, and make sure your arguments are heard.
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hi thanks for advice, i have checked the last pc meeting and there was discussion on the rented field , its a bit cloak and dagger i think. It was brought up at a financial meeting nothing makes sense and we do not no what members attended. surley you would think this would have been brought up in a genral meeting and dicussed
thanks again
 
You need some professional advice to sort out the legalities of the matter and I would suggest you instruct a surveyor to act on your behalf. He will be able to check your original contract to determine exactly what your rights are.

As regards weeds (Thistles and nettles) in your pasture this can be dealt with quite simply by regularly strimming them (once a week in the growing season) ) as the don't like this and will eventually give up. Alternatively if the area is too large then get a specialist grassland contractor to use a 'cut and collector' to remove the weeds off site and burn them. If you have any Ragwort then use a chemical such as Barrier H to kill them off before removing them
It also sounds as if your field requires over-seeding or even re-seeding and again get a grassland contractor to do this.
 
s wilson said:
hi thanks for advice, i have checked the last pc meeting and there was discussion on the rented field , its a bit cloak and dagger i think. It was brought up at a financial meeting nothing makes sense and we do not no what members attended. surley you would think this would have been brought up in a genral meeting and dicussed
thanks again
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sorry meant it wasn,t brought up at the general meeting, more behind closed doors few
 
Can the public and press be excluded from a meeting?
Yes, if there is confidential business or if there is some other good reason. The exclusion has to be voted for by a majority of Councillors present and the reason has to be stated in the motion to exclude and then recorded in the minutes of the meeting. It is important to do this even if no member of the public is actually present at the time, in case someone arrives during the discussion of the item. The most likely cases are when employment, contracting or legal matters are to be discussed.
http://www.nalc.gov.uk/Document/Download.aspx?uid=97de7568-8547-4192-8790-97a3faa50c2d
I suppose they could have dealt with it in the full meeting but maybe they felt since it was an issue with an individual it would be better not discussed in a meeting where the public and press could be present.
 
It's impossible to say whether it is unfair without seeing the contract. Go to the citizens advice bureau or a local solicitor with the contract and they can judge :)
 
Two possibilities that occurred to me; 1) The horse's condition is giving cause for concern because the field is overstocked and over run with weeds.
2) The council have plans for the land and want it back to sell/develop.


If its the first, you need to invest some time and cash in maintenance and if necessary, forage for the horses. Then write to the council outlining your action plan.

If its the second, have a search through the council's website for records of plans for the general area or sale of adjacent land etc. Its surprising what a search can throw up.
 
horserider said:
Two possibilities that occurred to me; 1) The horse's condition is giving cause for concern because the field is overstocked and over run with weeds.
2) The council have plans for the land and want it back to sell/develop.


If its the first, you need to invest some time and cash in maintenance and if necessary, forage for the horses. Then write to the council outlining your action plan.

If its the second, have a search through the council's website for records of plans for the general area or sale of adjacent land etc. Its surprising what a search can throw up.
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thanks for reply, the land cannot be sold as it was a gift to our village from yrs gone buy by gentry, as to the horses thay are in great condition and there is plenty of grass but not enough to mow. as for the stingers probably take up 5 percent of the land, but the horses have never been put on this part to graze in the ten yrs ive been there, regards
 
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