HLS Extension. Yes/No?

[steveR]

I had an email yesterday offering me an extension, subject to my actually wanting it, and also if the existing Agreement fits the criteria. I am pretty sure it does fill the bill, BUT, I am far from sure that I want any more involvement with RPA and their dodgy Inspector. I will be having a chat in a fortnights time. The requirement that the extension is just "tacked on" and if a breach is found, that a penalty could be accrued, possibly going back 15 years in the worst case scenario, is not very appealing to me...

I am still doing the numbers, but I think I can recoup a fair bit of the income foregone by pushing up the acreage of land in the Severn Trent STEPS scheme. CS Mid Tier is an option for a couple of areas, again if I can be bothered, although previous experience of the capital items is that that are so hedged with restrictions and requirements, that they are not practical or viable. The STEPS offerings are better than CS for bird and bee etc...

Anyone else considering hard if they want to be bothered with the HLS/ELS extension...?

 

[yellow belly]

If it is only on an annual basis
I would apply for mid tier to guarantee a full 5 years

 

[teslacoils]

Nooooooo.

 

[steveR]

Nooooooo.

I have me doots too... I'll see what the NE lass has to say on the 19th!

I did hear that they were struggling with take-ups of the extensions, but nothing concrete on numbers.... of course!!

 

[teslacoils]

It's because any fines in the extension can be rolled back to the start, rather than just back to the extension date. Avoid I think.

 

[farmer james]

It's because any fines in the extension can be rolled back to the start, rather than just back to the extension date. Avoid I think.

Surely they could only roll them back to your last inspection assuming that was ok?
FJ

 

[steveR]

It's because any fines in the extension can be rolled back to the start, rather than just back to the extension date. Avoid I think.

Yep. I had already indicated that I am unhappy at that policy several weeks ago.

But TPTB do not consider it of relevance.... NE staff already know it is, I suspect.

 

[steveR]

Surely they could only roll them back to your last inspection assuming that was ok?
FJ

Excellent idea, but FAR to logical and sensible....

I will float it as an option to a contac I have..t

 

[Ceri]

Excellent idea, but FAR to logical and sensible....

I will float it as an option to a contac I have..t

Yes I wouldn't worry about them going back 15 yrs they would only go back to your last inspection & we seem to get one every 3 yrs....

 

[Ceri]

I'd do it if I were u. Its good money & if u abide by the rules u shouldn't have anything to worry about our Hls is worth 2 thirds the amount of our sps which is crucial to our upland beef & sheep farm

 

[steveR]

Yes I wouldn't worry about them going back 15 yrs they would only go back to your last inspection & we seem to get one every 3 yrs....

You are regrettably, wrong.

If the Inspector finds a breach, the penalty and clawback of payments is, how can I put it.... Costly! They can and will backdate.

Poterntially, for 15 years if you have an extension....

 

[Extreme Optimist]

Had a huge issue with the old Countryside Stewardship Scheme. They kept changing my net areas and asking if I accepted their changes but at the end of the agreement still billed me going back 15 years. However, legally, it is only possible to go back 6 years, so their invoice was amended somewhat!

 

[steveR]

I'd do it if I were u. Its good money & if u abide by the rules u shouldn't have anything to worry about our Hls is worth 2 thirds the amount of our sps which is crucial to our upland beef & sheep farm

Oh yes, I know it's good money. I have been doing Stewardship successfully for 25 years... Numerous inspection over the past 3 decades!!

The issue that I and others have is less than honest Inspectors nowadays. Next to no means of appealing his "findings" when you are notified of an alleged breach 6 months later on a rotational option. The Inspectors report does not need to give any real details of his findings, he keeps no records, nothing. Unless you have accompanied the Inspector and cross examined him on completion of his inspection BEFORE he leaves the premises, you can be stuffed.

Get a drone flyover the following day for your own records is recommended by some!!

 

[steveR]

Had a huge issue with the old Countryside Stewardship Scheme. They kept changing my net areas and asking if I accepted their changes but at the end of the agreement still billed me going back 15 years. However, legally, it is only possible to go back 6 years, so their invoice was amended somewhat!

Really???

The Agent who was looking into my problems was not aware of that..... Happily, I did not Instruct him!!

 

[Extreme Optimist]

Well it's the law. NE backed down and refunded me anything they had invoiced over 6 years. I then took them to the Parliamentary Ombudsman and got most of the rest back. They are totally crooked and rely on you not fighting back.

 

[steveR]

Well it's the law. NE backed down and refunded me anything they had invoiced over 6 years. I then took them to the Parliamentary Ombudsman and got most of the rest back. They are totally crooked and rely on you not fighting back.

I remember you posting about this earlier I think...

 

[Extreme Optimist]

I remember you posting about this earlier I think...

How long does an old, unpaid invoice remain Valid? | Lane & Co Solicitors

Our commercial debt recovery solicitors confirm that old, unpaid invoices can be chased for up to 6 years. A letter before action costs from £5 plus vat.

www.laneandcosolicitors.com

.

 

[Ceri]

Oh yes, I know it's good money. I have been doing Stewardship successfully for 25 years... Numerous inspection over the past 3 decades!!

The issue that I and others have is less than honest Inspectors nowadays. Next to no means of appealing his "findings" when you are notified of an alleged breach 6 months later on a rotational option. The Inspectors report does not need to give any real details of his findings, he keeps no records, nothing. Unless you have accompanied the Inspector and cross examined him on completion of his inspection BEFORE he leaves the premises, you can be stuffed.

Get a drone flyover the following day for your own records is recommended by some!!

Just out of interest what did they do you on your rotational options..?

 

[onthehoof]

I've done it for just one year and plan to do a 5 year mid tier from 2022 to take us up to the start of the Elms in 2027

 

[Stw88]

Extended ours from August past. Looked into new schemes but rules and restrictions were loads worse, as was the money. Therefore decided to stick with what we’ve got. Going forward will see what happens after January. If prices look promising I would rather go back to being a proper farmer and maximise production and improve the marginal land that has gone backwards while being in schemes. Won’t have a jumped up little hitler trying to say how many and when sheep can go on the fell then!