Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
43rd Report - MoD’s oversight of Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Associations
Public Accounts Committee
HC 893
Published 5 September 2025
Conclusions (3)
15
Conclusion
Not Addressed
One of the two headline recommendations in the Department’s 2019 review of the RFCAs was to regularise and streamline the Council and 13 RFCAs into a single NDPB. This would provide a clear governance structure that aligned with government policy to transmit, delegate, implement and enforce decisions. However, creating an …
Government Response Summary
The item notes that the Department's plan to create the necessary legislation for an NDPB was thwarted by a lack of Parliamentary time. The government response is about establishing an NDPB, which is related but doesn't directly address the points raised.
16
Conclusion
Not Addressed
The Department confirmed that establishing an NDPB remained its preferred route forward. This would facilitate a streamlined organisation, simplify back-office functions and clarify accountabilities. The Department said that the next opportunity for the necessary legislation would be in the Armed Forces Bill, which it is obliged to update by the …
Government Response Summary
The item confirms that establishing an NDPB remained the Department's preferred route forward. The government response is about establishing an NDPB, which is related but doesn't directly address the points raised.
17
Conclusion
Not Addressed
The Department said that the challenge is to balance the need for a professional and effective national organisation that can be held to account, with the ability to leverage the membership’s volunteer spirit. It said that there was an ongoing conversation with the RFCAs around 20 Qq 17 and 18 …
Government Response Summary
The item discusses the challenge of balancing a professional national organisation with leveraging volunteer spirit, and the Council's belief that an NDPB would bring benefits of central direction while maintaining local knowledge. The government response is about establishing an NDPB, which is related but doesn't directly address the points raised.