22/03/11 - Drop-in Centres for SPS 2011 applications
New arrangements are in place in England for Single Payment Scheme application form Drop-in Centres.
As more farmers are now applying electronically, the number of Drop-in Centres has reduced. If farmers or agents apply electronically they do not have to travel to a Drop-in Centre as they receive an instant on-screen acknowledgement that RPA has received the application.
Drop-in Centres are now open, weekdays from 8.30am to 5pm, until 10 June 2011. They will be closed on public holidays. Centres will open on the weekend of 14 and 15 May 2011 from 9am to 3pm.
If an agent or farmer intends to bring five or more SPS application forms (SP5) to a Drop-in Centre they must contact their local Drop-in Centre to arrange an appointment. Drop-in Centre staff are available to receive SPS application forms, RLE1 forms and supporting documents only. They cannot provide advice on filling in applications.
Appointments can also be made to use the Drop-in Centre facilities and for support to make the application using SPS Online. Other benefits of going online are that all the farm details are saved on the system for next year. Farmers can also re-visit the service during the year to view their entitlements statements and track their claim through the process.
See Notes to Editors for drop in centres locations.
Notes to Editors
1. RPA is an executive agency of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). It is the single paying agency responsible for CAP schemes in England and is responsible for administering the Single Payment Scheme. Other key services include carrying out rural inspections and livestock tracing.
2. Drop-in centres are opening in the following locations.
Carlisle
Eden Bridge House
Lowther Street
Carlisle
CA38DX
| Crewe
Electra Way
Crewe
CW1 6GJ
| Exeter
Clyst House
Winslade Park
Clyst St Mary
Exeter
EX51DY
| Northallerton
Alverton Court
Crosby Road
Northallerton
DL6 1 AD
|
Nottingham
Block 7 Government Buildings
Chalfont Drive
Nottingham
NG83SN | Newmarket
RPA Inspectorate
Hyperion House
Unit 2, The Oaks
Fordham Road
Newmarket
CB87XN
| Reading
Kings House
33 Kings Road
Reading
RG1 3BU
| Worcester
Block B
Government Buildings
Whittington Road
Worcester
WR52LQ
|
Unlike last year, drop in centres will not operate in Bristol, Newcastle, Workington, Truro or Wye.
3. RPA is an executive agency of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). It is the single paying agency responsible for CAP schemes in England and is responsible for administering the Single Payment Scheme. Other key services include carrying out rural inspections and livestock tracing.
4. Farmers and agents which applied for SPS 2010 electronically, using either SPS Online or a farm software package, have not been sent a paper application form for 2011. The SPS 2011 packs have been sent through the post, including the latest SPS Handbook and a letter explaining what needs to be done to apply this year.
5. Farmers should make sure they have registered and enrolled for the service, and have the PIN number RPA issued. To request a new PIN, or ask any questions about using the service, call RPA’s Customer Service Centre on 0845 603 7777.
6. RPA has made changes to its website. The web address
www.rpa.gov.uk has been replaced by
rpa.defra.gov.uk A redirection has been set up so if visitors do use the current web address they will be sent to the new one. It may be easier to bookmark the new site for the next visit. We are also updating the way the site looks so that it uses the same style template as the Defra website. This means the information on the RPA website will be presented in a slightly different way on the page but all the content is the same.
Media only contact: Timma Marett, RPA Press Office, 0118 968 7680
timma.marett@rpa.gsi.gov.uk
Page published: 8 May 2013