Dorset Branch Chairman's Report 2026

I find myself wanting to repeat much of what I wrote last year as so much of that remains relevant.

The biggest change however is that things are clearly tougher on the day-to-day front even if the world of IHT has eased slightly and we are being told that subsidies will continue for at least a while longer in some viable form. The CLA has been at the forefront of championing that for all of us.

This is the year when the changes previously announced now start to bite, particularly on IHT, and with renters’ rights also coming into effect we all need to have our houses as well as the rest of our businesses in order and fit for purpose.

There continue to be windows of opportunity out of the red tape embers as far as tourism, renewables and commercial property are concerned but farming remains challenging across the board even for the most efficient and effective.

I am pleasantly reassured to see so many in our county meeting the challenges head on and as I come to the end of my three-year stint as your Chairman, I feel that the CLA continues to be incredibly well placed to support us along the way.

I warmly invite everyone to this year’s AGM at Moreton Estate where you can meet members of the committee and CLA Team to ask questions, share views and obtain an understanding for all that is done on your behalf.

Paul Tory

Chairman, Dorset Branch.