Stewardship payment dates

Overby · Nov 28, 2023

When are we all expecting stewardship payment? Last year was December 6th, previously always 1st or 2nd dec. So far no Preparing for Payment update, although hopefully that may change this week. I'm not sure how we're all meant ti trust the RPA or run a business when their payment timings are such a shambles

Martyn · Nov 28, 2023

Our came late April, totally gamble these schemes, just signed for 5 more years, it’s 5-10% of our cash flow so it’s not essential, some disadvantaged farms it would be a large percentage, don’t know how they cope

Overby · Nov 28, 2023

WTF!!! How can anyone be expected to operate a cashflow with that sort of lunacy going on?

pear · Nov 28, 2023

Not overly confident on when mine will appear. Its quite a large chunk of income for my farm. First year in the scheme (Mid tier)

I am expecting a call back from them tomorrow or Thursday. I had to ring this morning as some RLE1 issues that I thought were sorted a couple of months ago, haven't been updated correctly. Whoever last updated the claim in September made a balls up.

Overby · Nov 28, 2023

WE signed up on a much bigger scale this year, on the assurance payment would be made with BPS, but we'll just have to see. If they want people to sign up for these schemes they need to pay promptly, on he date promised, how can anyone run a business when the money comes 'whenever we can be bothered to send it'. Ludicrous.

Farma Parma · Nov 28, 2023

Last 3 years of HLS was Feb & March but sure it was mid dec the final payment last yr.
Fingers crossed it just arrives this dec i guess.

Farma Parma · Nov 28, 2023

Final Checking here.... you just dont know when that might suddenly change tho, i agree its not handy with cash flow sometimes.

Landrover · Nov 29, 2023

Overby said:
WE signed up on a much bigger scale this year, on the assurance payment would be made with BPS, but we'll just have to see. If they want people to sign up for these schemes they need to pay promptly, on he date promised, how can anyone run a business when the money comes 'whenever we can be bothered to send it'. Ludicrous.

So have we, whole farm in, no income from harvest this year, hopefully a very big "cheque" arriving in the next few days !

Overby · Nov 30, 2023

We only signed up on a larger scale after being reassured that the nonsense regarding late payments etc was history. We were assured payment would be made. in full, at the start of December. Numerous times! I've hopefully got a call back today to get some clarity as we're in the same boat as above. Even the RPA surely don't want to bust businesse due to their apathy of actually doing what's promised?

pear · Nov 30, 2023

I had my call back yesterday afternoon. They couldn't give me an answer, as my issues were now with the mapping team. I asked him how long does it take the mapping team and he said "I cant answer that as its a really busy time of year for the whole team."

I did receive an email yesterday morning saying "we tried to call you but couldn't get through". On closer inspection, the email had my business name and SBI, but was addressed to some one else (Dear Mr XYZ) and the subject matter was nothing to do with my business.

Hope is fading.

Overby · Nov 30, 2023

If there's any delays this year I think there'll be uproar. We only signed up on a larger scale after numerous reassurances from the RPA and Natural England that payment would be prompt, at the start od December, to allow accurate cashflows etc. We asked the question many times. Going back on that will be a huge mistake and blow away any confidence there is in the schemes.

Overby · Dec 1, 2023

No call back, but an email, helpfully explaining that the payment date starts on 1st December, and they'll be working through applications as quickly as they can, but the window runs until June 24'.
I replied saying that's why I'd rung them, as my application apparently hasn't been looked at yet, despite us only signing up on such a committed scale, due to the repeated, guaranteed assurance, that payment delays were a thing of the past and all monies would be paid at the start of December.
We all know that ' Final Checks', then 'Preparing for Payment', takes about a week, but at least it means action. I was very polite, pointing out my concern was due to only seeing 'Claim Validation', and said I was questioning the system, not individuals, but highlighting I am tens of thousands of pounds into this, including starting Supplementary Bird Feeding today, as stipulated, incurring more cost...with limited confidence, and no assurance, that promises will be honoured re prompt payment.
At a roadshow last year, in tandem with Natural England, I was even asked, due to my support for these schemes, if I'd try and encourage others to sign up. I have pointed out today that my doing so is going to look rather foolish if the standard RPA dilatoriness occurs again.
Today being a Friday, BPS day, and the huge ' RPA Work From Home' indulgence, I didn't expect a response before close of play.
It did have a name on the bottom, so I've thanked them for their personal assistance, and said that I'll use them as a contact going forward, both with the RPA, and my impatient bank manager regarding my overdraft request. May spur things on.
We'll see. Hopefully there'll be movement next week. I hope for all of us in this position there is.

Samcowman · Dec 1, 2023

Changed to final checks here today.
Coming up 2 months since I put a capital claim in though. They did ask the other day to label each picture in the evidence email rather than just the parcel number before a bunch of photos. Which had been accepted previously!!!!

Overby · Dec 2, 2023

The moving of the goalposts is very frustrating

Kam · Dec 3, 2023

Overby said:
No call back, but an email, helpfully explaining that the payment date starts on 1st December, and they'll be working through applications as quickly as they can, but the window runs until June 24'.
I replied saying that's why I'd rung them, as my application apparently hasn't been looked at yet, despite us only signing up on such a committed scale, due to the repeated, guaranteed assurance, that payment delays were a thing of the past and all monies would be paid at the start of December.
We all know that ' Final Checks', then 'Preparing for Payment', takes about a week, but at least it means action. I was very polite, pointing out my concern was due to only seeing 'Claim Validation', and said I was questioning the system, not individuals, but highlighting I am tens of thousands of pounds into this, including starting Supplementary Bird Feeding today, as stipulated, incurring more cost...with limited confidence, and no assurance, that promises will be honoured re prompt payment.
At a roadshow last year, in tandem with Natural England, I was even asked, due to my support for these schemes, if I'd try and encourage others to sign up. I have pointed out today that my doing so is going to look rather foolish if the standard RPA dilatoriness occurs again.
Today being a Friday, BPS day, and the huge ' RPA Work From Home' indulgence, I didn't expect a response before close of play.
It did have a name on the bottom, so I've thanked them for their personal assistance, and said that I'll use them as a contact going forward, both with the RPA, and my impatient bank manager regarding my overdraft request. May spur things on.
We'll see. Hopefully there'll be movement next week. I hope for all of us in this position there is.

I wouldn't hold your breath. I didn't receive my year one payment until 10th July this year!

pear · Dec 3, 2023

@Kam did they give a reason for the late payment?

I’ve just realised due to my RLE changes the parcel number for one of my larger capital claims has changed. I’m not sure whether to wait until I’ve been paid for my scheme to raise the issue or not. I don’t want to go to the back of the queue!

Also, do the powers at be at RPA/ NE read these threads?!!

Kam · Dec 3, 2023

pear said:
@Kam did they give a reason for the late payment?

I’ve just realised due to my RLE changes the parcel number for one of my larger capital claims has changed. I’m not sure whether to wait until I’ve been paid for my scheme to raise the issue or not. I don’t want to go to the back of the queue!

Also, do the powers at be at RPA/ NE read these threads?!!

No, no explanation at all. The RPA were chased on several occasions but they couldn't give me any indication when my claim would be dealt with. I suspect it was because it's quite a large and complex higher tier agreement and they kept putting it to the bottom of the pile!

There is always a danger with RLE1 causing delays in payment. It used to particularly be the case with single farm payment/BPS. I would imagine it's similar with any stewardship claim.

Janet Hughes of DEFRA fame used to be a regular on here but I don't think she's been seen lately. Not sure about NE/RPA

Jerry · Dec 4, 2023

Showing as "preparing for payment" on the GOV website, was in "final checking" Friday so could be soon.

Farma Parma · Dec 4, 2023

Jerry said:
Showing as "preparing for payment" on the GOV website, was in "final checking" Friday so could be soon.

Thats pretty much in your bank!! ive two lots of CSS capital claims still showing Preparing for payment & both long since paid!

Dairyfarmer2016 · Dec 21, 2023

Has anyone had their revenue payment? I’m still waiting here and things are a bit tight

Stewardship payment dates

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Up to 25%

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100% I’ve had enough of farming!

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