The problem with this you could see it being squandered given that’s the MO in the public sector, is spend with no accountability and then expect more, this would be non-public money so accounting would need be done to a much higher level than normal for public sector bodies.
There would need to be targets and measurable results and full delivery year on year and IMO full refund if they fail to deliver. With the targets set and managed by the volunteers. Previously and currently leaving HQAC / RAF to manage projects has meant abject failure and or far too much time taken.
Given they are paying for it every parent would need to get a copy of the accounts and HQAC be open to questions and scrutiny, although this should happen with non-public money accounts. HQAC fanny around answering questions from us and due to the rank nonsense people kow tow, parents are not going to be over awed like some in the Air Cadets. You would need a parent based CWC set up to manage this and no interference from 2½/3/4 ringers and 1 big ringers.
As for uniform, if it had to be paid for, parents would pay, BUT there could not be changes etc insisted on by the RAF, randomly creating more expense. RAF changes jumper style, oh by the way that’s another £?? that you have to spend, or people with too little to do get too excited.
if parents were paying for it, would they be happy with the run around that we get from supply or getting stung by “rip off”, and similar surplus shops? When they’re not paying for they sort of accept it, not happy, but accepting. Imagine some of the BS we get about contracts not being redone and in effect we the Air Cadets are such a low priority we don’t matter, being told to a parent, meaning they can’t get what they want and are effectively limited to one supplier, who can’t supply. Also ordering. I cannot believe we don’t order uniform, barrack stores etc online and get them delivered to a home address from a central store, not still have to pussy around with forms going through a parent station. Any one can go online any time of the day, look for practically anything from anywhere in the world, see that it was available, pay for it and get it within a few days. Compare and contrast getting a few pairs of trousers, jumpers, berets etc, from stores; send in a form, leave it a couple of weeks to dribble through God knows how many rubber stampers, only to call to arrange to collect and be told various things not available. Why they can’t email us and tell us is baffling, I can’t believe that even the crustiest of old store women and blokes, don’t use email.
When it comes to selling it to parents and the costs of the other organisations. With the other organisations/groups listed they aren’t as anonymous as the Air Cadets with the RAF connection, parents are normally more involved and the parents see the money being used. We knew when one of our daughters and son did athletics and our son played football, there were subs and fees which were quite transparent, unlike the Air Cadets where away from the squadron level, it all becomes very blurred with smoke and mirrors, as such do the people paying ever how our where the money goes?
Ring fencing this money and open reporting as above would be an absolute requirement.
As for employing people it would depend on the salary. Given the current salaries don’t seem to attract the right people, what be considered a reasonable salary £20K to £25K? If so it would actually cost £50K to £55K plus per employee, taking NI, pension etc into account, so for 10 that’s at least a third of the amount gone. How would they be held to account/line managed? Not by the current people I hope.