As Alex said, it sounds like the restrictions are already being implemented and the review, if it ever gets published, will be catching up. Another poorly communicated and badly implemented change sadly.
4 Likes
I think it will be longer… needs alignment with the other cader forces
I think its regions are now actually applying their oversights of VA and mileage which they can. Instead of just signing stuff off
Very much this, RCs and COS just making stuff up to cut VA. HQ has released nothing to direct it formally.
You would think there was a cheapest region to run competition on for an MBE.
6 Likes
Well if they refuse my 1771 for flying in a few weeks then it will be service transport going forwards
3 Likes
The powers that be need to state what they will support through VA & Travel. Some people are able to support beyond the minimum and some staff are effected by the cost of living crisis and unable support beyond the limits. Does this make individuals less dedicated to the organisation and cadets; no. To some of my CIs, travel allowance supports the running of a car and some of my uniformed staff who are students, it means they can support cadet activities during the week and at weekends. If this gets reduced, I will support their refusal to provide activities beyond the Sqn.
3 Likes
Our notes state only paid to enough to fit the required ratio for the cadets present.
20 cadets and 4 uniformed CFAV, 2 aren’t getting VA.
Except for certain activities e.g. where qualifications are relevant or ratios are higher.
1 Like
Which is fair enough. 4 uniformed? 2 having a free weekend.
However, 48 hours on duty. Likely unsafe.
2 Likes
We haven’t had that note, and we’re the same region
2 Likes
Interesting
So given ive been away all week and cba to re read it all so skimmed…
The TLDR for this thread is
- Regions are starting to turn the screw
- Regions are doing independent ways of working
- Majority of people are on board with the concept and need to review/reduce/tweak VA etc in the modern day
- Everyone just wants upfront transparency on where the focus for VA/Mileage etc etc
Am i reading that right?
15 Likes
1771 wont be refused as it’s subsistence/travel and they are reimbursing you for it.
Submitting a F80 is a different matter.
Suspect what Ol’tone deaf tont wants.
Only activities on Sqn. Like SPACE…
Less risk.
Less cost.
Orgs going to the dogs.
1 Like
Pretty much.
But, recognising funds are tight we also want to see:
Acknowledgement that some CFAV do than average (maybe already more than 28 days) and need to work out a way that they are not disproportionally losing out from any restrictions;
Some people will be more impacted than others financially, for example those who don’t get volunteering days or indeed holiday pay, and so might have to do less for cadets;
CFAV are already filling in a lot of gaps in the system, especially attending sites for works and inspections and this does not currently attract VA.
2 Likes
Of course, better recruitment and retention would alleviate this by allowing the load to be spread.
But that’s too difficult.
5 Likes
That’s part of it certainly. But it’s also that the pipeline for obtaining specialist tickets is so long, it puts a lot of pressure on those that do have them. My region / wing hasn’t run a Fieldcraft instructor course for over 2 years for example.
1 Like
Anyone got any ideas on how to reduce overall VA budget fairly? I know folks who claim little, some who claim lots; some are worth their weight in gold… some perhaps in other substances!
A crude simple cap would hurt some of our poorest colleagues in our poorest communities, and a “means test” wouldn’t capture people’s contribution to Cadets; but consulting local leadership “is X worth more than Y” would be poisonously political… or do we cut small Squadrons (often in those same communities) to protect VA for camps? I suspect we need to have constructive counter-proposals to put up… which is really difficult!
1 Like
My personal approach would be…define what is really core activities and allow VA for that. But allow milleage for everything else.
So your not cutting the 28 days you’re controlling what its spent on. Then people can choose if they want to do it or not. Then i would have an extra 5 days per person ring fenced for Annual Camps.
4 Likes
Common Sense Alert!!
Would be great if the CoC would use some of that 
1 Like
The problem with my approach is it will start tantrums over what is core…
In my head it needs to be stuff that activley contributes to the future employability of the Cadet.
3 Likes