Why is this important?
The NFU's approach has been to make the application process easy to understand and importantly safe to use to complete this key activity; be designed in a way to reduce the risk of errors and mistakes being made for those completing a single annual application; whilst at the same time not changing things for change sake.
What feedback does the NFU want to hear about?
The NFU has received feedback during the 2016 application window, especially where the new online process has been found wanting or where pre-populated data provided by the RPA has not been correct.
This request is for feedback about the application process and associated guidance and support given by the RPA. This is not solely aimed at the problems experienced, but any observations or ways things can be done better in a non-RPA / BPS scenario as well as what did work and improvements from earlier years.
Please send your comments by email to QlBTRmVlZGJhY2tAbmZ1Lm9yZy51aw==?subject=BPS%202016%20Feedback%20-%20via%20NFUonline" target="_blank">QlBTRmVlZGJhY2tAbmZ1Lm9yZy51aw== by 22 June 2016
Below are some specific points to consider when responding:
BPS 2016 Guidance & Support
- What did you think of the annotated ‘How to apply online’ or ‘How to apply on paper’ guidance that you received from the RPA? Did it cover all the information you needed?
- Did you refer to any of the information found online via www.gov.uk/guidance/bps-2016, for example 2016 BPS Handbook, RLE1 Guidance, Greening Workbook? If so do you have any comments on what was provided? What would you improve to help you safely complete your claim?
- Any areas of guidance still not clear or not as helpful as they could be? If you have land in an agri-environment scheme, was there sufficient guidance available to help you complete the BPS application? Would you like to see RPA produce “Frequently Asked Questions” information online and if so why?
- Were you aware of / use the RPA’s guidance entitled: ‘BPS 2016: Hints and tips on making your application’ document or RPA’s YouTube videos? What did you think?
- Terminology - Was there anything on the forms / in the guidance that caused problems, (words / phrases that were difficult to understand)?
- Did you have to call the RPA about how to complete the 2016 application, if so, what were the issues you had?
- How did you find the online help that was available?
- Did you have to hand deliver any documents (continuation booklets / RLE1 or Certificates) or seek help at one of the RPA’s support centres this year? If so, what were your experiences with the checking of forms or support given? Why would you want support centres to be available in 2017?
- If you used the RPA’s Customer Service Centre Helpline, what were your reasons to call and what is your feedback on this service? How would you improve the service apart from putting more staff on the lines?
- Communication around BPS 2016 application process – what did you think of the emails / letters that you received in the run up to the BPS deadline?
- What level of hard copy paper guidance would you want RPA to supply for 2017 – same as BPS 2016 or 2015 and why? In the future, would you prefer the BPS information only in an electronic format, if not, why not?
Online Applications
What was your overall view of the new online application approach? What was good? What needs to be improved to help you with the 2017 application? What about the presentation of land data / map data? How was navigation around the different elements? What other functionality would you want added to help you make a claim easier? What about the ability to measure areas / export / import land data from the system / add missing fields manually without needing to use RPA? What about the approach to reducing activated area for BPS / greening?
- Did you have difficulty accessing the online system? What is your broadband speed and how did it work on it? Did you also have any registration / claimant profile issues?
- What would be your solutions to remove the need to submit supplementary paper documents by hand or post with an online claim?
- Land use coding – were there any issues with them – only one code for two definitions of fallow / numerous codes for non-agricultural land, expressing EFA greening areas online – hedges / buffer strips?
- There was an ability to play back the compliance with greening – crop diversification or EFA. Did this help and what other similar functionality would you like to see to help verify the claim before submission?
- Transfer Entitlements / Land – did you have to do any of these online and how did you find the process?
- Mapping – what added features would you want included to help you see your land – ability to print off all fields or a range of selected fields in one action?
- Common land – If applicable, did you have any challenges with the online approach?
- If you claimed for Young Farmer Scheme, National Reserve or had to supply information to prove Active farmer status, what issues did you have?
- Making land changes, how did you find a paper / online approach and have you seen any systems / approaches that RPA could use to allow you to remove the need to complete an RLE1 form. How did you cope with completion of land use and land feature in respect to EFA?
- Applications section – what issues did you have with this section – completing questions on currency / active farmer, or reducing area activated for 2016 for example?
- Ability to print off / save a PDF copy of the application – did that help you?
- How did you find the approach to confirming your online submission? Did you have any concerns?
- Thinking of the online approach, what were your concerns about submitting paper supplementary documents to the RPA? How could it been done better? Did you have to submit a covering letter or email, if so, why?
- Did you struggle to submit the claim by 16 May, if so what caused the delay in submission?
Paper applications
If you completed a paper form in 2016, what did you like, what would you improve? Why did you not consider applying online this year?
If you switched from paper to online or online to paper, why did you do so?