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ITEM 1 - WELCOME BY CFSA PRESIDENT
1. The President welcomed the members to the 2011 Reunion and requested that they consider ideas to help celebrate the Centenary of CFS next year, which would be discussed under AOB. He also thanked Mrs Judith Cross for her efforts in once again organising the Reunion and Dining-in Night.
ITEM 2 – WELCOME BY COMDT CFS
2. The Cmdt added his welcome to the members and also highlighted the need to consider how the Association could support the plans for the CFS centenary in 2012.
ITEM 3 – ADMIN NOTICES
3. The Hon Sec advised the members of various admin notices, including timings for the day and messing arrangements.
ITEM 4 – MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
4. The Minutes of the last meeting were accepted as a true and accurate record.
ITEM 5 – MATTERS ARISING
5. Para 8b. An online or Credit Card system would not be available to enable the payment of charges due to the way that the RAF Funds are administered. Cash or cheques would still be required. Item Closed.
6. Para 8c. The cancellation policy was published in advance of this year’s reunion. Item Closed.
ITEM 6 – FINANCIAL REPORT
7. The Hon Sec explained that although he was also the Treasurer, the accounts are managed on a day-to-day basis by Mrs Judith Cross, whom he thanked for her efforts over the past 12 months.
8. Reunion Fund. The reunion fund used to exist to fund the annual reunion until the bills were paid in arrears each year; however, the new method of payment prior to the reunion means that the Fund now contains a large amount of money which is not earning any sort of interest. The balance at 31 Mar 10 was £2892.04, down £23.87 from the previous year. The full summary is at Annex A.
9. Souvenir Fund. Net sales were £937.34 over the year and the Fund was re-stocked to the value of £819.03. There were £12.46 worth of write-offs. Total assets (stock and cash) at 31 Mar 11 was £3611.12. A full summary is at Annex A.
10. The Hon Sec reminded the members that money held in RAF Funds did not attract interest and that audits for such funds had to be paid for. In view of the large amounts of cash in both accounts (a total of almost £3500), it was suggested that the members may wish to subsidise their functions a little more in the Centenary Year. The President acknowledged this and thanked the Hon Sec for his efforts.
11. The Financial report was unanimously accepted.
ITEM 7 – COMDT CFS REPORT
12. The Cmdt began with a brief summary of his career to date and informed the members that he was being replaced in Apr 12 by Gp Capt Dave Bentley. He then went on to highlight some issues over the last 12 months which have impacted on CFS. Amongst these were the results of the Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) and Planning Round 11 (PR11), the impending introduction of the Military Flying Training System (MFTS) and the fallout from the Haddon Cave Report. The Cmdt outlined how the reduction in aircraft types as part of SDSR and PR11 has led to pilot redundancies which in turn has affected the numbers of instructors necessary to meet the training task. He also explained how the introduction of MFTS would impact the CFS role and went on to explain the changes to the concept of risk management post-Haddon Cave.
13. The Cmdt continued his report with a brief overview of the CFS’ activity since the last reunion. He explained the changes in focus for flying units due to the high operational tempo and the effects that this has had on flying hours and pilot experience levels. He also explained that a lack of funding has led to a large reduction in Exercise flying which has exacerbated the situation. With regard to CFS visits to overseas air forces, he explained that all visits now need to be approved by the International Staff and are less frequent than in the past; however, the recent vist to Kenya was seen as a great success and there are possible visits planned to Qatar, Algeria and Poland in the coming months.
14. The final part of the report highlighted the forthcoming changes to the Flying Training Development Wg (FTDW) and detailed the progress of RAFAT so far this year. He explained that some of the roles of FTDW were being redistributed and that some of their tasking and personnel would become part of Exam Wg. With regard to RAFAT, the Cmdt explained how the cold weather in Nov/Dec last year had severely hampered training and denied the Team valuable consolidation prior to the start of the season. He also explained that next year would see the arrival of 4 new Red Arrow members and a new OC.
ITEM 8 – EVENTS OF THE DAY
15. The Hon Sec highlighted the changes to the programme for the day.
ITEM 9 – AOB
16. CFS Centenary. The President asked the Cmdt to summarise the events which are planned so far to celebrate the centenary of the CFS. These plans currently include both a potential static and flying display at Cranwell to coincide with the next CFSA Reunion and a Dining-in Night, possibly in CHOM. It was pointed out, however, that changes to the CRL contract later this year could well raise the cost of the Reunion significantly. To this end, CFS Admin Staff will investigate the cost of using a local hotel vice the Candidates Mess in order to inform the members of the best value for next year’s Reunion. In addition, there are plans for an International CFS Conference and, potentially, a small ceremony at Upavon to commemorate the actual Anniversary. The Cmdt also added the caveat that these plans are all subject to funding being made available.
17. CFSA Contribution to the Centenary. The CFSA Reunion would still include an AGM and a dinner, although these events may need different timings and/or locations. The usual practice of linking the CFSA Reunion Dinner with a CFS Graduation may not be required should the CFSA be able to attract sufficient attendees to hold an Association-only dinner. Royal Patronage was also discussed, although this matter was still being pursued by the Cmdt. The Patron raised the subject of the workload of the CFS staff and suggested that the CFSA form a small Committee to assist in the organisation of the Reunion, particularly as the CFS staff would be very busy with the Centenary itself. It was suggested that a local hotel be used for accommodation, lunch and the AGM, but the dinner be held at Cranwell, preferably CHOM. This suggestion met with approval from a majority of the attendees. The date of the Reunion and Centenary events was discussed, as well as the publicity for and synergy with other centenaries in 2012, particularly Nos 1, 2 and 3 Sqns. It was explained that operational tempo may affect the celebrations of these Sqns, and that their plans could be combined with CFS’ should they wish to do so.
18. Presentation to CFS 100. The subject of a presentation from the CFSA to the CFS to commemorate the Centenary was discussed. Various options were put forward, including both portable and fixed memorials, trophies and brass castings.
19. Decisions. It was decided that:
a. The President and Chairman would examine the possibility of using a local hotel for accommodation, lunch and the AGM, with the dinner being held at Cranwell specifically for the CFSA.
b. The sum of £25 per head would be levied on members in order to finance a lasting gift to the CFS to commemorate its Centenary.
c. The President and the Patron would discuss ideas for the gift before canvassing the views of the membership.
ITEM 10 – DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING
20. Decision. It was decided that the next CFSA Reunion, AGM and Dinner be held on 28 Jun 12.
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