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 7 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 2 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

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

Once the DC has been appointed  representatives  of the Regional Team will meet with each DC and agree what support would be helpful. Once this is agreed the Regional Team will ensure that the support is given.

2.4

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

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

2.5

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.

2.6

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

Yes it will.

3.0

Merging of Districts

3.1

What needs to be done 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, District names etc.  We are currently preparing a list of actions with timescales for these and will share these with DCs soon.

3.2

Who will pick the name of the new Districts?

This will be discussed and a way forward agreed once the new DCs are identified.

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?

This will be discussed with the new DC and agreement reached. Tradition suggests that where it is necessary to change numbers that the group which have been in place the longest gets to retain the number however we are open to suggestions so long as agreement to reached between the groups.

4.0

Finances

4.1

What happens to the money which my District has 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 to the new Districts, and name tape badges where a change of number is required. 

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, ADCs, and GSL’s.