Stewardship Payments for 2018
- Thread starter Cosatto
- Start date
Flower Power
Member
Press release on 8 April 2019 on https://www.gov.uk/government/news/rpa-confirms-2018-bps-and-cs-bridging-payments
The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) has confirmed today that farmers will start receiving bridging payments from Friday 12 April. This will cover Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) 2018 claims and Countryside Stewardship (CS) 2018 advance payments.
While more than 99% of BPS 2018 claims have now been processed, a significant improvement on previous years, today’s announcement means that remaining eligible claimants will receive a payment for 75% of the estimated value of their claim. This will help with farm business cash flow while the remaining amount on their claim is processed.
The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) has confirmed today that farmers will start receiving bridging payments from Friday 12 April. This will cover Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) 2018 claims and Countryside Stewardship (CS) 2018 advance payments.
While more than 99% of BPS 2018 claims have now been processed, a significant improvement on previous years, today’s announcement means that remaining eligible claimants will receive a payment for 75% of the estimated value of their claim. This will help with farm business cash flow while the remaining amount on their claim is processed.
I had an RPA inspection in 2017 for our ELS/HLS options. One of them was described as a “major breakthrough” for natural England when we originally allowed it on the farm. They approached us to create a 20m wide native species grass strip through the middle of the farm to link two woods, and act as a butterfly corridor. Along with all the other options, this was drawn up, overseen and mapped by natural England. Part of this was found to be smaller when inspected, than on the agreement (cock up by NE and their calculations) and they have sent me a bill for that for £2000. Also we have a winter bird mix option and the inspector ignored the one block as he thought it was maize and it was actually some sorghum & sunflower as part of a wild bird mix that was struggling to get going due to the dry weather, slugs & flea beetle. So he put down 0.88ha less on his findings than we should have had. Rpa have back dated 5 years and multiplied by 4 and billed me £10000 for that!! Not had a penny payment off them in 2018 or 2019. I am disputing it with seed invoices and contractor bills and hope for review! They did give me 60 days to pay the £12000 which was kind of them... total overpayments were £2600, the rest is penalties!!! I’m thinking of pulling out of the agreement now. As I have done the first 5 years out of the 10. Can’t be doing with the worry and unexpected bills like that.. how do I step out of it without being hit with more costs? I think Ne and the RPA are in a mess and I can’t see it improving. I can manage without their now reduced payment going forward, and can use the fields freely to graze and mow when I want etc.. has anyone left an agreement early? Anything I need to consider? Thanks in advance.
I sympathise and empathise with your predicament... I am having a similar argument over measuring of areas and the Inspector not knowing what he was looking at or bothering to come and ask...
First question, is when did you get notified of the alleged shortfall? Was it at the time of the Inspection, or shortly afterwards?
Secondly, did you inform them that you would appeal the decision?
Get a good local Agent on the case who knows the hoops to jump through, if you are an NFU member, you can probably use the legal support setup.
livestock 1
Member
My agreements were and are currently 10 year agreements with a 5 year breakout clause after the start date. I am told if you leave the agreement early you have to pay back the money received from the start
Hi SteveR,
Thanks for your reply.
The inspection was in July 2017 at our busy time, so unfortunately I did not give it enough concern then, and I wasn’t really worried as I (thought) things were all in place and correct.
The last thing I thought to have a significant shortfall on would be the part NE wanted and created..
The inspector did mention there were a couple of parcels slightly smaller which he said is likely a mapping error and is fairly common, and said the RPA would contact me likely for reimbursement and I was happy enough with that, as I wanted things right, and it was my first inspection. Little did I realise the extent of the penalties then or I would have given it more attention.
A month or so back I had a full report come through, followed by the bill a week ago. Just today in the post I’ve had a reminder off them to pay straight away!
I have lodged an appeal which they have acknowledged, on two points of error. One is the wild bird mix which was recorded incorrectly, and the other is pointing out NE and their role in creating the grass strip, mapping and measuring, which was more for their benefit than for ours. I feel the penalty should be dropped on that one, as they made the original miscalculation. All works on my part adhered to their specifications, I even made it 1-2 metres wider than specified.
It’s a mess but I’m not going to worry, just deal with it as best as I can. I am happy to refund overpayments, but I think the penalties are unbelievable!
If I robbed a bank, mugged someone, or sold some form of illegal drug, I would likely have a suspended sentence or 20 hours community service and a £300 fine. Let the rpa visit with their gps and I’m hit for £12000! Plus no payments on top until resolved.
I have a claim form to fill in for this year but I am tempted to contact them about ending it.
I have done over five years now and NE originally told me I can step out without paying back anything from the first 5 years.
The freedom to graze, mow and plant the ground when you want has a value.
I have also read about a farmer who entered into a ten year scheme for arable reversion, then at the end of the scheme they wouldn’t let him go back into arable cropping. Makes me wonder if it’s worth the hassle..
Hi livestock1,
Yes mines the same. I am in my 6th year and going into 7th and wonder if it’s as simple as telling them I’m out.. I haven’t been paid anything for year 6 anyway.
livestock 1
Member
The rules in the contract fall into their advantage every time. Unlikely it will be straightforward but could be worth asking the question to break at year five could be too late now they will likely play that card and demand the second five years of money even though you are on year six and haven’t had any yet. Especially if they want to keep you in
If the RPA were Banks, they would have been done for mis-selling and malpractice!!
I too was told I could get out after 5 years, and then found it was only if I repaid all payments made....
I did ask the question of the help line person what were the ramifications if I withdrew the area that I was being penalised for, from my CS agreement after, I had paid the penalty (on a rotational option) and the clawback. That was a new one on them and she couldn't answer it and said write in....
Are you saying they can claim back money they haven't paid yet? I have a 2018 start 5 year scheme and I've had only a very small payment I was seriously thinking of binning it but I couldn't afford to if that's true.
livestock 1
Member
I don’t know. They are a good hand at chucking folk out ont the break year (year five) that they don’t want in a scheme and keeping folk in schemes when it suits them. If you’ve had nowt then I would have thought that puts you in a good position to come out with no money to pay back but they could play that card demanding money back in theory yes even if you haven’t had any. They have things called indicators of success this is something they have to fill in to show public money put to good use. Or that’s the intention anyway. If you break or come out even paying the money back it shows as not good use of the public purse so to speak so it’s easier to force you to stay in looks better on paper
- Location
- South West
People who still haven't received anything are now receiving the full amount in one go, into their bank, with no notification, however, those who have received something, have no idea when the remaining balance will be paid. You couldn't cock it up more if you tried. It's beyond pathetic.
- Location
- West Kent
I would be quite happy with that
I've received just over £100 this morning from the RPA. No idea what it is for.
Nowt here yet so hope your right.
- Location
- Northumberlandia
RPA inspection last week out of the blue as usual
Inspector was v good too be fair & left pretty much happy but still waiting to hear the final sum up of measurements...
no idea now long this might delay there allready 6months overdue 75% payment for 2018 now tho.
I only had a similar inspection nearly 3 years ago.
Inspector was v good too be fair & left pretty much happy but still waiting to hear the final sum up of measurements...
no idea now long this might delay there allready 6months overdue 75% payment for 2018 now tho.
I only had a similar inspection nearly 3 years ago.
Hay Farmer
Member
- Location
- Herefordshire
Same here, had an RPA inspection last week, 4th or 5th in 8 years. Inspector left happy. Still no idea where the December 2018 money is. No matter, I’m sure they will pay the June payment on the 1st won’t they!
- Location
- Northumberlandia
livestock 1
Member
It’s usually 6 months before the inspection report turns up here after the actual inspection which I think is an unbelievable amount of time
- Location
- Northumberlandia
Oct16 HLS inspection, not a penny paid then after until July17
- Tags
- mapping