1.0

All Districts

1.1

There are no changes to my District Boundary, surely this means that we can continue as usual?

No it doesn’t , there were a number of issues which came from the consultation which related to supporting District Teams to become more proactive in development, understand their roles better, and ensure that District Teams are in place particularly GSLs etc.

1.2

How will they be supported to do this?

The Regional Commissioner and ARC Adult Support have or will be meeting with all current DCs, from there  they will be supported to identify what needs to be done in their District to take things forward more proactively.

1.3

So the DCs are being treated differently?

No they are not, once we have identified the DCs for all the New Districts the group of seven DCs will be supported as a team to move forward.

2.0

New District Teams

2.1

I see that Nominations are being sought for DCs in only two of the newly formed Districts why is this?

The DC for Leith was appointed when we were clear that Leith would be merging with Portobello so Colin Hyslop was appointed with this in mind. There was no need therefore to go through the process another time.

2.2

Why did you not just appoint one of the current DCs of the merging Districts to the new  District ?

We felt that the nomination process described elsewhere would be fairer to all involved.

2.3

When will the DCs of the merged Districts be appointed

As detailed at 2.1 above Colin Hyslop will be DC for Portobello/Leith

The other two  were announced before Christmas as follows:

Aileen Thomson – Inverleith/Haymarket

Colin Brough –Morningside/Blackford

2.4

What support will the new DC get to ensure that they have a District Team/Lay team as soon as they can ?

The DCs met with the Boundary implementation group at the end of December and commenced the process of identifying what support was required to undertake the changes. This will be reviewed on a regular basis. 

2.5

Will the teams be in place for 1^st April 2012 ?

We hope so however we may not have everyone in place by then.

2.6

What training will be given to the DCs and their teams?

Once the District Team is identified each member will have their own personal development plan, however it is anticipated that there will be development events which will support team working and the setting of District targets. See 2.7 below.

2.7

Will similar support be given to those districts where the Boundary is not changing?

Yes it will. The role descriptions for DCs changed in April 2011 and so all Districts will be moving to the new role.  To support everyone do this we are  planning a District Team event on the weekend of the 3^rd/4^th March 2012 for DCs , D Ch, ARCs and  LDO to attend. This event will support clarity of roles and responsibilities and what support is needed to move forward as well as develop the team.

2.8

What support will be given to current District Teams to make the changes?

The Boundary Implementation Group met with DCs and D Chairs at the end of December to inform them of what needs to be done and when. They will be meeting with this group again on 9^th January [including key members of the lay and uniformed District teams] to support them with action plans and answer questions. Progress will be monitored on a regular basis and support given as required

3.0

Merging of Districts

3.1

What needs to be done administratively to merge Districts ?

There are various tasks which relate to this including OSCR [Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator], whether the Districts currently have Charitable status or not etc.  A list of what needs done and when has been shared with DCs and they along with District Chairs  will be progressing things. 

3.2

Is it right that one District will be ‘taking over another’ ?

No , that is not correct; the Districts are merging to create new Districts. However some statutory requirements will lead to one District taking the lead administratively to ensure that the merge takes place in a compliant manner.  This will not impact on things in practice and will make the changeover simpler.

3.2

Who will pick the name of the new Districts?

DCs will identify a representative group from both Districts to see this process through and all adults will get an opportunity to vote on a preferred name.  Leaders can take the views of young people if they wish.

The DC is the final decision maker  in relation to District Name

3.3

Who will design the new District Badge?

We hope that these will be done through District competitions.

3.4

What will happen when there are duplicate Group numbers in the new Districts?

 The DC will take the decision on this and will take into consideration the length of time the groups have been in place as well as the size of the groups/sections and any other relevant factors.

3.5

What will happen if there is a clash of neckerchief colours?

We have looked at this and only a few groups are affected. Common sense should prevail. The DC will make the final decision on this.

4.0

Finances

4.1

What happens to the money which my District has prior to and after 1st April 2012 ?

Discussions will commence over the next few months with each District Commissioner, District Chair/Executive to discuss and agree the best way to handle this issue to ensure fairness and equity along with respecting designated or restricted issues.

4.2

Will the Region fund any changes which are made due to the Boundary changes?

The Region will fund the first issue of new District badges and offer  Districts support towards the cost of new name tapes

4.3

What if we want a new flag etc.?

This is up to the District and not a matter for the Region to influence or fund.

5.0

Programme issues

5.1

My District has already planned an event for next summer, will we need to cancel?

It is up to each new District  [ via the DC] to agree whether you can either keep it as it is, or open it up for the partner District to join you. The latter would clearly be more supportive of building relationships in the new District.

5.2

Does everything need to be in place for 1^st April 2012?

We anticipate that Districts will start their financial year on 1^st April as the newly formed District. It may be that other issues relating to programme or training will commence after the summer, depending on agreement reached with the DC at 5.1 above.

5.3

Who do you regard as the District Team ?

The DC, D Ch, ADCs, and GSL’s.