He writes:
So what is on our ‘to do list’?
Well, our key focus going forward is getting BPS and the RPA back on track and getting at least 90% of 2016 BPS payments out to the industry by the end of December, it is as simple as that. For all of us at this time there are simply too many loose ends that need to be sorted out before the anyone can consider we have a workable system.
What’s up first?
We will be focusing very much on the uncompleted work from BPS 2015.
The RPA needs to clear the following issues to get BPS back to some sort of normality and NFU will be engaging on these going forward. In order to clear these issues, the NFU also continues to push for the appropriate resources (staff and technology) at the RPA.
- Finish off claim processing for those who have not received a full 2015 payment, that includes topping up erroneous payments and responding to member concerns – we want this work cleared and vital payments issued without further delay
- RPA to complete all outstanding mapping based tasks for BPS 2015, that includes commons and inspection cases before the summer.
- Completion of common land claim adjustments for both SPS and BPS years following Minchinhampton legal case - we want to see this wrapped up by this autumn so that commoners are not again at the back of the payment queue for 2016
- Issuing and dealing with queries from the delayed release of 2015 Entitlement Statements and inspection results
Getting these issues addressed is key for the NFU and our members. We will continue to work on behalf of members to ensure this work is cleared as swiftly as possible.
The NFU - continuing to work for you…
We also want to see improvements going forward; be that to the online application process (watch out for a forthcoming member survey) or the handling of claims in the system. Frustratingly for all involved, customer service has been a big causality in the rollout of BPS and it simply has to improve. Areas that we will work on include:
- Ensuring that 2016 BPS applicants are not penalised for the unexplained changes to 2015 application data and payments in the coming months.
- That the RPA pay interest on all outstanding 2015 payments post 30 June payment window.
- Push for the reintroduction of the whole case working and for RPA to provide greater transparency whilst processing claims and give a clear indication on when members should be paid in to help cash flow planning.
- RPA to deliver payment and entitlement breakdowns to all farmers as soon as possible and improve on the information contained within these documents
- That cross border, commons and inspected claims are paid from the start of the 2016 payment window, not the end.
- That those inspected in 2016 are told the outcomes of this RPA activity before the end of January next year to help with the completion of the 2017’s claim
- That RPA carries out all BPS 2016 common land recognition work before the payment window opens.
- To develop a better way of telling farmers where there issues with their claims going forward
- That RPA make bridging payments in future payment years if payments are not made by the end of January.
There is plenty to do!