RPA business plan and targets announced for 2010/11

Environment Secretary Hilary Benn has announced the Rural Payments Agency’s (RPA) ministerial targets and approved the RPA Business Plan for 2010/11. The business plan includes a description of Agency activities for 2010/11, and the key performance targets for all areas of the business, particularly addressing the issue of value for money and efficiency.

Environment Secretary Hilary Benn today announced the Rural Payments Agency’s (RPA) ministerial targets and approved the RPA Business Plan for 2010/11. The business plan includes a description of Agency activities for 2010/11, and the key performance targets for all areas of the business, particularly addressing the issue of value for money and efficiency.

The RPA has shown year on year improvements in delivering services and this has been reflected in a broader range of more challenging targets for 2010/11.

There will again be a target on the timing of payments under the Single Payment Scheme; 85% of claimants under the 2010 scheme to be paid by 31 December 2010; and 95% by monetary value of valid 2010 claims to be paid by 31 March 2011.

However, the RPA is aiming to focus further on proactive customer engagement and a new target has been introduced to promote the use of its e-channel services, so that farmers can submit their applications online.

A new target has also been introduced to reduce the RPA’s cost per claim for the Single Payment Scheme. This demonstrates a clear commitment to reducing the current cost per claim level; a point raised by the National Audit Office’s and the Public Accounts Committee’s scrutiny of RPA’s operations.

Further details are given in the RPA business plan for 2010-11, copies of which are available on their website.