Staff guidance on contracts is found at Internal User Back Office Desk Instructions Part 2
Changes to RDC contract web page
Your Rural Development Contract is a legal document that sets out your approved Regional Priorities, the Options under these Regional Priorities and the payment that you will be entitled to claim.
What is in the Rural Development Contract?
Your contract is made up of the following parts:
1. A covering letter which explains what is required when returning the signing page.
2. Rural Development Contract Declarations and Undertakings Please read these carefully. They apply to all Rural Development Contracts.
3. Option specific Undertakings Please also read these carefully. They will add additional Undertakings to the general Declarations and Undertakings but relate only to particular Regional Priority Options approved.
4. A schedule of work that lists annual recurrent payments (if applicable)
5. A schedule of work that lists payments for capital works (if applicable)
6. Signing pages - The contract will contain 2 signing pages, you must return one copy to your Case Officer and keep the other copy for your records
7. A map or maps that show the area where the work will take place (where applicable). The map or maps will be signed by the Case Officer.
8. Copies of any consents that are required in order to carry out the work. If Planning Permission is required for any of the work, you must let your Case Officer have a copy of this as soon as you receive it.
Getting permission to start work
When you get your Rural Development Contract, sign and return only one signing page to your Case Officer. When the Case Officer receives the signing page they will send you a letter confirming receipt. You may start work when you get this confirmatory letter.
Ensure you have your consents and permissions
Before we can issue a contract you must ensure that you have all the necessary consents that are needed for any of the work. Some consents may be issued with your contract documents.
We will issue contracts that include work for which planning permission is still required, while you follow through the planning process. You may start work on other Regional Priority Options that have been approved.
Timing
We expect you to return the signing page to your Case Officer within 28 days of the date that the contract was issued. If you do not return the signing page within 28 days, we will send you a reminder letter. If you do not return the contract within six weeks of issue then we may cancel your contract.
Rejecting the contract
You are under no obligation to return the completed signing page. If you decide not to proceed, please tell us and we will cancel the Contract. The Case Officer will formally acknowledge your rejection.
Verification of Agents' signature
Agents can only sign on behalf of a business if they have authority to do so.
If you are an agent signing a contract on an applicant's business' behalf, the Case Officer will contact the relevant RPID Area Office to request confirmation that you have the authority to sign the contract. Any mandate in place will apply to the office that an agent works from; it does not apply to the agent as an individual. For example, all staff at SAC Ayr operate under one Agent ID.
If you are applying for, or on behalf of, a Limited Company (or other corporate body) you must submit with this form one of the following:
- A Board minute or letter of authorisation as proof that you have the mandate to sign on behalf of that Company,
or
- Printed evidence from Companies House website, to verify that you have the authority to act on behalf of the Limited Company.