Covid-19 Information

Latest Blog Posts

Latest Blog Posts

What is currently on offer to support Woodland Creation?

Considerations for woodland planting

Wednesday, February 3, 2021 - 09:57

Are you thinking about planting some new woodland?

We outline some aspects for consideration and the options currently available here:

What size of woodland will you create? 

For an area greater than 3 hectares but less than 10 hectares:

Woodland grants within Countryside Stewardship can offer one off grants to support the preparation of a Woodland Management Plan and planting. 

1. Apply for a Woodland Management Planning grant. 

This will provide a flat rate payment of £1,000 towards the cost of preparing a 10 year woodland management plan which meets UK Forestry Standards. This plan will help with… Read More

Agricultural Policy Plans for England update

Insight to agricultural policy - what we currently know 

Wednesday, October 7, 2020 - 14:52

Direct payment (BPS) transition

Payment deductions start 2021

Known deduction rate for 2021

No detail on how the payment deductions will be set between 2022 and 2027 (assume flat rate)

No payments from 2028 (final payment 2027)

 

Delinking of payments

Potentially delinked in 2022… Read More

Chancellor announces £1000 job retention bonus

Introduction of Job Retention Bonus

Thursday, July 9, 2020 - 14:10

Today the Chancellor announced the introduction of the Job Retention Bonus

This is a one-off payment of £1,000 to employers that have used the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) for each furloughed employee who remains continuously employed until 31‌‌‌ ‌January 2021. The bonus will provide additional support to retain employees.

To be eligible, employees will need to:

  • earn at least £520 per month (above the Lower Earnings Limit) on average for… Read More
Countryside Stewardship Field Margins

Summer Update

Thursday, June 18, 2020 - 15:36

Key Dates & Environmental Schemes: 

 

Basic Payment Scheme Dates:

  • EFA Fallow retain until 30th June
  • Catch Crops establish by 20th August and retain until 14th October
  • Cover Crops establish by 1st Oct and retain until 15th January 

 

Countryside Stewardship: … Read More

Support mechanisms for businesses

AKC Update - Government support for UK businesses during COVID-19 disruption

Saturday, March 28, 2020 - 08:25

Government support for UK businesses during COVID-19 disruption:

 

You may be aware that the Government has announced a number of measures to support Businesses through the current Covid-19 disruption to the economy.  Additional support is being reviewed and updated as the situation evolves.  Some of the measures are targeted at sectors which have been more severely affected to date whilst others are more widely accessible.

Further information can be found and is constantly updated at… Read More

Coronavirus Measures

AKC COVID-19 Coronavirus Measures

Thursday, March 19, 2020 - 09:14

COVID-19 Coronavirus Measures

 

 

Dear clients, contacts and friends,

 

We want to give an update to everyone about the measures we are taking concerning COVID-19 and service continuity.  The health and safety of our team, clients and contacts is always paramount to us, particularly now.  In line with Government advice all members of the AKC team who are able to are moving to working from home.  They have access to all our systems necessary and can be contacted on the usual telephone numbers meaning that there will be very little disruption in providing services to you.  This… Read More

Current Grant Opportunities

Current Grant Opportunities

Friday, December 20, 2019 - 15:47

There are a number of current grant opportunities for farms and rural businesses. See a list below.

If you would like to discuss any of these in more detail please contact us.  

 

Countryside Stewardship:

Water capital grant (max £10,000) – application window opens mid-February and closes July. Agreement start dates 1st January 2020.

2 year agreement

High priority areas only

Approval required by Natural England Catchment… Read More

Opportunites for planting woodland and hedgerows

MoreWoods Tree Planting and Hedge Grants & Opportunities For NFU Members To Plant Trees

Thursday, October 3, 2019 - 11:13

MoreWoods Tree Planting and Hedges Grants Now Open

MoreWoods from the Woodland Trust is open for applications for Tree and Hedge Planting Grants.

The criteria for the tree planting is a minimum area of 0.5ha (1.24ac) with a range of species which a Woodland Adviser will help with dependent on your geographical area. 

The hedge planting requires at least 100m of hedge to be planted with a mature tree planted every 6m, The hedge species should include, Field Maple, Crab Apple, Dogwood, Dog Rose, Blackthorn, Elder and Hawthorn.  The… Read More

Small Grant Scheme Released & Waste Exemption Renewal

Small Grant Scheme Released & Waste Exemption Renewal

Thursday, July 11, 2019 - 16:28

Countryside Productivity Small Grant Scheme - Round 2

A second round of the RDPE Countryside productivity small grant scheme has been released this week. Grants are available for between £3,000 and £12,000 for items identified to improve technical efficiency, animal health and welfare, resource efficiency and nutrient management.

Applications must be submitted before 3rd September. 

Items available include:

  • Mobile and fixed cattle handling systems
  • Badger proof feed troughs and lick holders
  • Auto cattle weighing and identifying equipment
  • Mobile and fixed sheep handling systems
  • Cameras… Read More
Countryside Stewardship, Farm Wildlife Packages and Key Dates

Snapshot & Key Dates of 2019 Mid-Tier Countryside Stewardship

Wednesday, May 22, 2019 - 10:14

The mid-tier Countryside Stewardship scheme offers capital items and management options to achieve simple but effective environmental benefits. Mid-tier grants can be accessed through 3 options:

1. Management Options & Capital Grants

These are very similar to previous years and allow farmers to choose from all available multi-year options and capital items to form an agreement which delivers local environmental benefits.

Capital grants are available for 2 main purposes: Management and maintain hedgerows and management water pollution and improve water quality.… Read More