Can I ask what squadrons are doing about cadet subscriptions where the building is closed and there has been no other viable venue for some of the cadets?
Still waiting for clarification from Wing.
I think it’s an individual Sqn committee decision.
During Covid we all still got charged.
We gave the parents the option to stop paying until we knew a date we could return, or start with any kind of cadet activity.
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Just because a squadron is closed, doesn’t mean it can’t operate, remember COVID times.
But from what I understand we wlll still need to pay the Wing/Air cadet charity based on the number of cadets on SMS. So if parents stop paying, it will be the squadron that will be out of pocket.
Our wing was given the opportunity to advise parents, but some kept paying regardless. It’s a little different from lockdown to a building being closed when other options are possibly available, such as travel to another sqn or off-site activities.
In West Mercian Wing, our Board of Trustees approved a proposal to apply a 50% discount to what a squadron pays to the Wing Fund for each full calendar month they’re unable to use their building. The Wing charity absorbs the loss, while still passing on the usual fees to Region and the Air Cadet Charity. We’ve then advised individual Squadron Boards of Trustees to decide on a local approach if they wish to provide any additional support.
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I am impressed - it is an excellent approach. Our Wing thinks the squadrons should absorb all the loss and we still have no idea when we can return to the building
I am absolutely aghast at this attitude by a RAFAC Wing!
The RAF contractor is clearly to blame and should be compensating both Wings and Squadrons due to the lack of availability of our premises through their gross negligence.
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Could sqns particularly those who are registered charities in their own right sue the contractor or would they not have standing?
I don’t think so. it is not us that has the contract with the contractors.
RAFAC ought to be resolving this on behalf of the organisation.
Personally I believe the Wing is at fault demanding continuing contributions when the squadron cannot parade. They were supposed to support by providing alternative premises and if not they should not be demanding contributions!
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As they are no permanent staff at wings any more how can wings be responsible- they are purely volunteers with no authority or influence over anything contractual.
Regions on the other hand….
Response to this was the Air Cadet Charity was still funding things so still needed their payments. Region went along with the same, as did Wing.
Payments were paused during COVID, I can see the difference here, but the experience that cadets pay subs to receive has not been equivalent
Why is the contractor not being made to compensate? I can understand the Wing comment but Regions should be kicking up a stink about this with HQ to make the contractor pay.
The charity might still be funding stuff but not for the benefit of those who were closed!
Smacks of “We’re too busy, don’t have enough staff and it’s only tax payers money”
Because it’s an MoD /RAF contract they don’t like to kick up a stink in case it effects a company share price (cause then the shareholders may try to sue)
And considering there’s apparently the debate of where the fault lies and that it might be the contract or the scope passed across.
The “compensation” presumably is considered the offer that RHQ handles the cost of alternative venues.
I can’t see why you are sticking up for them!
We have a legitimate beef with the contractor unless someone somewhere in one of our organisations cocked up!
The shareholders can’t sue if it’s a legitimate beef and the share price falls!
Not really sticking up for them - just want the blame to go to the right person for the right reason
in short though Because it’s not in their control (although the response is)
the contractor was appointed by MoD.
Enforcement & engagement & variation of the contract is through the RAF
the management of the response & interpretation is at HQ AC
Highlighting of issues is at region & sourcing local buildings is linked to the Sqn & Sqn civcom.
Responses to subs - that’s for wing committee & the air cadet charity.
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