March 2008 Electronic update
2007/2008 GRANT CLAIMS - 31ST MARCH DEADLINERemember that you must complete all work and submit your claim for 2007/2008 grants by the 31st March 2008. If you do not claim by this date, the grant offer will be lost and the FC will not pay the grant.
If you are not going to complete the work in time or wish to carry out the work later on, the FC may be able to reschedule the grant to a future claim year. You will need to submit a request to reschedule via an amendment form, letter or email by the 31st March 2008.
Please note that the FC will consider rescheduling requests in line with Operations Note 7 - Grant Budget Management Policy (PDF 40kb). Also note that requests to reschedule 2007/2008 grants are likely to be offered 2009/2010 payment as the 2008/2009 claim year is fully committed. CUSTOMER AND LAND REGISTRATIONFrom April 2008, if you apply for an EWGS grant you and your land must be registered on the Customer Register (CR) and the Rural Land Register (RLR) operated by the Rural Payments Agency. In addition, from 1 June 2008, if you have an existing EWGS or WGS contract you will be required to give your Single Business Identifier (SBI) when submitting claims for any outstanding grant payments. We have published a guide, Operations Note 019 - Customer and Land Registration (PDF 52kb) giving further details along with the transition arrangements for existing contract holders. If you are planning to apply for EWGS grants when Prospectus 2008 opens (expected May 2008), you are advised to make arrangements to register your land now if you have not already done so. If you will be claiming an EWGS or WGS grant from June 2008 you should ensure that you have an SBI now. NEW EWGS TERMS & CONDITIONSThe new terms and conditions (T&Cs) will be issued with any new EWGS contract from the 1st March 2008. You can find out about them on the Terms and Conditions page. The original EWGS T&Cs were revised for a number of reasons: - To improve the layout and clarity of the T&Cs
- To better reflect EWGS processes and rules and simplify procedures for applicants
- To incorporate the requirements of the new Rural Development Plan Regulations
The Terms & Conditions webpage highlights the key changes to the T&Cs from previous versions. The T&Cs went out for public consultation from 1st November 2007 to 31st December 2007 to the key forestry organisations in England as represented by the National Applicants Focus Group. Details of the consultation are also on the webpage. If you wish to unsubscribe from EWGS Updates please email June Wells.
Any queries about the content of this update should be directed to your regional contact, or to the EWGS advice line 01223 346004.
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