Verderers' Countryside Stewardship Scheme
Overview
The Verderers' Countryside Stewardship Scheme is a 10 year agreement between DEFRA and the Verderers which recognises and rewards the important contribution made by commoning to the ecology of the New Forest.
The Scheme started on 1st October 2003 and runs until 30th September 2013. The scheme is managed by Mr Colin Draper (Telephone: 023 8028 3134; Fax: 023 8028 3101).
Under the terms of the Scheme, DEFRA makes available over £460,000 each year. The Scheme area is currently being reviewed and this figure is expected to rise slightly. The amount paid depends on the percentage of the total number of cattle, ponies and donkeys on the Forest, which are managed under the Scheme.
The Verderers have appointed Colin Draper to run the Scheme, and Commoners are invited to join it on an annual basis.
Current payments
In return for membership and depasturing their animals for laid down minimum periods, Commoners receive an annual payment - in 2007 this was £56.00 each, for cattle, ponies, and donkeys, and £25.00 each for pigs, and there are limits on the numbers which they are allowed to enter. There is an additional premium of £15.00 for cattle and registered pure bred New Forest ponies. There are no payments for sheep or other animals.
Scheme rules
Please note that the Scheme rules (Terms and Conditions) were amended in May 2009. A copy may be downloaded below.
Scheme reports & minutes
For more details, please use the links below.
- Scheme Rules - Revised May 2009.
- Minutes of the CSS Advisory Group Meeting Held on 9 March 2009.
- Audited Accounts up to 31 March 2008.
- Minutes of the Verderers' CSS Sub-Committee Meeting Held on 21 October 2008.
- Minutes of the CSS Advisory Group Meeting Held on 4 November 2008.
- Minutes of the Verderers' CSS Sub-Committee Meeting Held on 9 April 2008.
- Minutes of the CSS Advisory Group Meeting Held on 15 April 2008.
- Minutes of the Verderers' CSS Sub-Committee Meeting Held on 5 November 2007.
- Minutes of the CSS Advisory Group Meeting Held on 15 November 2007.
- Minutes of the CSS Advisory Group Meeting Held on 29 June 2007.
- Audited Accounts up to January 2007.
- Minutes of the CSS Advisory Group Meeting Held on 16 March 2007.
- Minutes of the Verderers' CSS Sub-Committee Meeting Held on 20 April 2007.
- Audited Accounts up to January 2006.
- Annual Report dated October 2006.
- Minutes of the CSS Advisory Group Meeting Held on 25 September 2006.
- Minutes of the Verderers' CSS Sub-Committee Meeting Held on 20 October 2006.
- Minutes of the CSS Advisory Group Meeting Held on 14 March 2006.
- Scheme Rules - Amended on 1st November 2005.
- Annual Report dated October 2005.
- Grazing Plan dated May 2005.
- Audit of Account at the end of the first year.
- Minutes of the Verderers' CSS Sub-Committee Meeting Held on 1 November 2005.
- Minutes of the CSS Advisory Group Meeting Held on 13 September 2005.
- Copy of the CSS Agreement between DEFRA and the Verderers.