Distribution Principles

XXXX Common:

Distribution of Commoners Countryside Stewardship Funds:

A Proposal for Payments for 20XX-20XX

(Subject to all Commoners and the Owner agreeing terms)

Principles

1. There will be transparency in everyone’s livestock numbers and payment distributions and Association accounts will be distributed to all.

2. All Commoners and the Owner must declare the rights of common they have use of and on what basis [owner / tenant / informal agreement]. Consent may be sought from the owner of the common rights.

3. The stocking calendar for the common is expected to:

a. [stay broadly the same as the HLS / reduce by x% / increase by y% introduce off-wintering / graze cattle / ponies].

b. To allow for a self replacing flock hoggs are calculated as [Y%] of the summer ewe numbers.

4. Off-wintering will be paid on the number of ewes actually taken off the fell i.e., the summer ewe numbers. All Commoners will be paid for off-wintering unless they have already committed to off-winter through another agreement e.g. with the owner

5. The Countryside Stewardship annual option monies from Natural England for the period 20XX-20XX will be divided as follows:

a. The [SP10] payment for Group Applications will be ring fenced and used for the purposes set out in the CS agreement and the internal agreement. The principle is it will be used to deliver the purposes of managing the agreement and not distributed to individual commoners

b. The [UP6] Money for Livestock Exclusion will be [divided between proportionately between those graziers eligible for off-wintering based on the number of ewes grazed in the summer].

c. The Owner will receive xx% of the UP3 payment for Moorland Management.

d. The Balance of the UP3 payment will be divided among the graziers in proportion to the number of rights they have available to them. Where this reduces during the agreement their payments will reduce. Additional rights not included in the agreement cannot be claimed on except with the agreement of the committee.

e. The Committee will seek to maintain a balance of [£X,000] in the account to meet any expenses the Committee may incur

6. The [Owner / Association / AN Other] will be responsible for undertaking and the [Owner / Association / AN Other] for maintaining the Capital Works. Claims for Capital Works will be processed by the Association and paid as agreed to those who have paid for the works / maintenance

(Insert date)