Mid Tier Stewardship - Anyone been paid yet?

[slackjawedyokel]

We got in on the first round of the new mid tier countryside stewardship; our agreement started 1/1/16 (despite not being finalised until about april...). I had it in mind that the first payment was due towards the end of last year but nothing so far. Is everyone in this position or have some been paid, and any idea when I can expect something? Thanks.

 

[slackjawedyokel]

Hmmmm... just me then?

 

[Wooly]

We are on higher tier.

Payment was promised for October, but after chasing them up for months we finally got half the payment in early February............but only after I had got the organ grinders attention that they were in breach of contract and the land would be ploughed up !

Unfortunately Natural England need to raise their game.

 

[Raynard]

Nowt ere

 

[slackjawedyokel]

Ah ok thanks for those replies.
Although I didn't go in for capital options, I went for some things that turned out to be expensive to implement in the first year (wildflower margins- have you seen the price of wildflower seed??!!). It's a bit annoying having spent all that money to now be left waiting around hoping the payment will come through at some point, especially now it's months after the payment window.

 

[taff]

Had half but I think that's the way it's supposed to be half at Christmas and half in September but I need to check with my agent!

 

[Cowski]

Had half but I think that's the way it's supposed to be half at Christmas and half in September but I need to check with my agent!

Half payed here too for a 2016 start agreement, on the to do list to check it's as it should be.

 

[slackjawedyokel]

Half payed here too for a 2016 start agreement, on the to do list to check it's as it should be.

Did RPA send you notification of the part payment? I've had none, and I'm pretty sure I'd have noticed had half landed in the bank. Will have to chase it up.

 

[Cowski]

Did RPA send you notification of the part payment? I've had none, and I'm pretty sure I'd have noticed had half landed in the bank. Will have to chase it up.

Yes I just got a fairly plain remittance note with very little detail on

 

[parker]

Did RPA send you notification of the part payment? I've had none, and I'm pretty sure I'd have noticed had half landed in the bank. Will have to chase it up.

Still waiting here too.

 

[Farmer T]

Has anyone been paid yet?

Natural England insist 'most' people have been paid. The NFU have asked for figures but got a reply yet?

Nothing here.

 

[slackjawedyokel]

Pees me off; woe betide us if a margin is a few cm too narrow or we forget to record a field stocking rate but it's ok to be months overdue and not let on when they expect to pay? Muppets.

 

[parker]

Really starting to annoy me to, as I haven't been paid for last years work and now need to be ordering this years seed and yet if I had missed anything I would have been penalised , natural England have missed there part of the bargain, but who will get the interest on the money owing? I know we wont (I know its not a fortune)but still very frustrating.

 

[slackjawedyokel]

Just had a quick check in the bank account and......
No, nuffink yet
I had a chat with my ag advisor last week (lets face it, there's no way I'd have applied for mid tier without help, mainly on how to 'interpret' the rules to make options possible/practical) and he reckons that some people are starting to get paid now, so fingers crossed.

 

[parker]

still nothing here, I spoke to natural England last week , but they just say that they are doing there best.

 

[JJT]

our mid tier started 1/1/16, had some capital items that we have done and got paid for but had nothing for wild flowers, grass margins bit of it. Mind we haven't had our bps yet either.

 

[EDR]

I have still not received 2015 or any 2016 ELS/HLS payments. Had an inspection August 15 and apparently they're still processing it.

 

[slackjawedyokel]

I have still not received 2015 or any 2016 ELS/HLS payments. Had an inspection August 15 and apparently they're still processing it.

Lordy. I hope they don't decide to inspect here, holding up payments til god knows when.

 

[Farmer T]

Just a quick update with my 2016 Mid Tier CS. I phoned NEngland today about the non payment.

They were surprisingly helpful and said it had been cleared with them in January and couldn't work out why we hadn't been paid.

They phoned back a hour later and said we'll be paid next week for 2016 payment.

Could be worth a call if anyone else hasn't had payment.

 

[slackjawedyokel]

That's interesting @Farmer T . Could you let us know if your payment comes in next week as promised? Then I'll chase it up! Thanks.