Theoretically
I’m not against any of this per se. I’m not against getting rid of local CivComs frankly. It’s whether the alternatives can deliver the oversight without tying us in red tape.
It would be amazing if essential but non public funds expenditure (especially IT/broadband) was centrally purchased and funded.
I’d be happy for COVs to go too, and be replaced by a shared fleet. The ACF’s vehicles, run via RFCA, are recognised as service vehicles which has advantages too.
We might be unusual in that there is little/no scope for fundraising (or grants) in our area, anything we do goes to RBL/RAFA not the Sqn.
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They really need to focus on getting the messaging and brief to CFAVs concise yet comprehensive about impact and procedure.
One of the potentially most beneficial aspects will be standardisation - as long as the processes work.
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I have several concerns that until I see more detail might just be me panicking.
How can we apply for grants, for example? How in practice will it work to get reimbursed by someone in a wing, when I’ve bought consumables?
I can’t help but feel, yet again, that rather than deal with the bad apples who might not be doing things properly we are punishing the majority who can and do abide by the rules.
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Standardisation will be good.
Unless its of course the usual case of ‘reduce to lowest common denominator’
My unit isnt a half baked tin pot op.
We have annual turn over in excess of 60k.
This new world better contunue to allow that and all our ops as normal.
Else whats the benefit.
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Sorry what? You have a £60k turnover? How?!
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Grants.
Subs.
Legacies.
Events.
Last FY our turn over was 58xxx.
We spend it on activities, kit, camps, trips, buying greens for all the cadets etc etc.
Every cadet has a £75 lenonvo tablet for example.
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This is a peak btw previois 3 years prior to.covid averages 51k.
I expect we will move baxk towards 50k average over next 3.
We had a tasty grant this year.
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Standardised broadband contracts at a negotiated fair price - win
You can’t plug in your own devices because of policy and you can only have this Windows box listed here (that won’t run a flight sim) - will the last one to leave switch off the lights and put the keys through the letterbox.
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The only issue is that financially some WHQ’s are miles behind Squadrons, ours only deal in Cheques for example, whereas my old Squadron was all electronic.
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“Whilst excepted charities do not have to register with the Charity Commission or submit annual returns and accounts, they must still comply with charity law and their trustees have the same duties and responsibilities as trustees of any other charity”
So.no.
Not a win, when broardband goes.down and you vant fix it and a central account person at hqac has to grt involved as the account holder.
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Better than us spending our day on hold with them - centralise it and make it the WExOs who have to go out for repairs.
Oh sorry - forgot where I was for a second.
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Really…
The only issue… thats the only issue you can see…
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I got the turnover limit wrong - it’s £100k not 50k as I thought for some reason.
Can i ask a new Q of everyone…
Does this mean civ coms as a whole are going?
If so, for sqns who use their civ com alot. Whats going to happen,
CI them all?
Shouldn’t be an issue, you have a site contact for each location.
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Things i need from this.
- For it to be worth the effort and better overall.
- All our money stays ours forever.
- All our stuff stays ours forever.
- Putting money into our accout is straight forward.
- Taking money out of our account is straight forward and QUICK.
- Some thought to supporting bulk transfers of civ com to other staff types if this is needed.
If all the above is met. It.could be a win.
If not. Very very xoncerned.
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No governance improvement if volunteers still have access to the monies.
Just redices the number of buckets by a factor of 20.
I would have thought if they’re going to grt rid of civ coms. That they whole structure goes.
No need for sqn, wg or reg civ coms.
This work is best done by permanant staff, employed and contracyed.
Doesnt mean i like that idea btw.
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Of course we could partner with industry and set up an org to provide air minded young people with skills for service and civilian life. It could be an air training corps.
Or if we wanted to have something more military focused how about the air defence cadet corps?
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