Local Paper, Cryptic

[tarasmum]

20a He needs a different grade for capital cover (8) H - - - - a -
16a Setting the bait for half an hour with fish around (6) L - - - n -
18a Its bound to be one in four (4, 4 ) - e - p - e - r
17d Does he keep his accounts in a scrap-book? (6) - - - - a -
21d Sounds like a meadow on the sheltered side (4) - - e -

Thanks in anticipation - Tarasmum

[Wharton]

21d alee

[tarasmum]

Thank you Wharton.

[Wharton]

20a headgear

[cupid04]

20a] headsman?
16a] luring

[cupid04]

18a] leap year

[tarasmum]

Thank you cupid04. If these answers are correct, it makes 17d r - s - a -

[tarasmum]

Thank you cupid04. Just to get 17d now!

[chelle7272]

Thought 17 might be ragman, if its headgear instead of headsman would that work?
Sorry to doubt you cupid, you're usually spot on :-)

[cupid04]

no I'm not. I do get one or two wrong from time to time.x

[Wharton]

^you said it sister :-)

[cupid04]

I thought rascal might fit. Wonder who I was thinking of?

[bibblebub]

it is headgear = he + a + anagram of 'grade'