Drop-in centres for SPS 2013 applications
The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) will be opening five Single Payment Scheme (SPS) drop-in centres in England this year.
The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) will be opening five Single Payment Scheme (SPS) drop-in centres in England this year.
Increasing numbers of applicants are choosing to make their claims online, saving time, paperwork and money while also benefiting from the reassurance of an instant receipt.
This surge in online activity has reduced the demand for drop-in centres.
This year RPA will be opening centres in Carlisle, Exeter, Newmarket, Northallerton and Worcester, from 25 March to 15 May. They will be open from 8.30am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday.
Farmers and agents can bring paper SPS application forms and get a basic check, and will also have the opportunity to learn about making future applications online, helping them save time and money.
RPA Customer Director Justin Chamberlain said: “Demand for drop-in centres is falling as more and more people discover the benefits of making their SPS applications online.
“Claimants find it easier and quicker to use and 97 percent of those surveyed after using the system in 2012 said that they would recommend it to others.
“At our drop-in centres this year we will be happy to help applicants make the move online for SPS 2014, so that they can join the 42,000 people who already benefit from making their claims electronically.”
If you intend to bring five or more SPS application forms, you must contact your local drop-in centre to arrange an appointment. More details about the drop-in centre can be found on the RPA website.
*Drop in centres will open at the following locations:
Carlisle
Eden Bridge House
Lowther Street
Carlisle
CA3 8DX
Telephone: 07826 860760
Exeter
Clyst House
Winslade Park
Clyst St Mary
Exeter
EX5 1DY
Telephone: 07826 860764
Newmarket
RPA Inspectorate
Hyperion House
Unit 2, The Oaks
Fordham Road
Newmarket
CB8 7XN
Telephone: 07826 860765
Northallerton
Alverton Court
Crosby Road
Northallerton
DL6 1AD
Telephone: 07826 860768
Worcester
Block B
Government Buildings
Whittington Road
Worcester
WR5 2LQ
Telephone: 07826 860771
*The Rural Payments Agency’s work helps the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to encourage a thriving farming and food sector and strong rural communities.
*RPA makes Common Agricultural Policy support payments, traces livestock and carries out inspections. We manage more than 40 schemes, paying farmers and traders more than £2 billion each year.
*To administer such a wide range of schemes and meet EU requirements we manage information on more than two million land parcels.