Finance

Many Commons are responsible for distributing payments from schemes. This is a significant responsibility. Learn here how to ensure your systems are fit for purpose, protect yourselves and ensure people are properly rewarded for their role in environmental schemes.

Distributing funds

An agreement of the distribution of funds is essential when engaging in agri-environment schemes. Click below for a template of principles for the distribution of funds among stakeholders.

Deciding how to divide the money within these schemes can be complex. For advice as to how to do this, click below.

For more information about agri-environment schemes generally, click here.

Basic Payment Scheme

The Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) is being phased out from 2021 and the last payment will be in 2027. From 2024 we expect the link between land / common rights and payments will be broken but we await further details.

On common land the calculations are particularly complicated with the need for the Rural Payment Agency (RPA) to convert common rights into notional hectares. Currently you have to hold an entitlement for each hectare of land allocated to you from the common to be paid BPS. To find out more about BPS, click below.

Financial Management

Proper financial management of payments received is essential to maintain an organised system on common land. Click below for more information about this.