The RFCA is an autonomous body established by Act of Parliament.
Overview
The current Scheme of Constitution, made by the Defence Council in accordance with the provisions of the Reserve Forces Act 1996, came into force on 1 April 2015. Under the Scheme, the Association includes:
- The combined authority of the County of North Yorkshire
- The Metropolitan districts of Barnsley, Bradford, Calderdale, Doncaster, Kirklees, Leeds, Rotherham, Sheffield and Wakefield
- The Unitary areas of The East Riding, Kingston upon Hull, North East Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire and York
Schemes of Constitution are normally renewed every five years, thus enabling the Association to review its structure and membership.
RFCA Responsibilities
Roles and Responsibilities of the Association
The Association has responsibility for the Reserve Forces of the three Services and Cadets as follows:
Reserves
- The provision and maintenance of accommodation for the Maritime Reserve (Royal Naval Reserve and Royal Marine Reserve) units, Army Reserve independent units and Royal Auxiliary Air Force Reserve units
- The furnishing, heating, lighting and cleaning of such accommodation
- The administration and maintenance of armouries, ammunition bunkers and ranges for Reserve use
- Supporting recruitment for reserve units
- Liaison with employers, chambers of commerce and local authorities and relations with the public
- Support to public relations and communications
Cadets
Sea Cadet Corps (SCC)
- Liaison responsibilities and help with the provision of accommodation
Army Cadet Force (ACF)
- The provision, furnishing and maintenance of accommodation
- The provision of non-public equipment and stores
- The issue, storage, maintenance and accounting of public stores
- The general supervision of the administration of private funds
- Recruiting, supporting local publicity and the promoting of good relations with the public
- Encouraging co-operation and good relations between the Army Reserve and the ACF
Air Training Corps (ATC)
- The provision and maintenance of accommodation
Combined Cadet Force (CCF)
- All contingents – some accommodation matters
- Contingents that elect to be administered by their local RFCA – provision and maintenance of clothing and personal equipment and accounting for public funds and stores
Composition of the Association
His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenants of one of the four counties (North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire or the East Riding of Yorkshire) is the President of the Association and the remaining three Lord-Lieutenants are Vice-Presidents.
The Association elects a Chair and Vice-Chairs annually. One of the Vice-Chairs must be a Naval member, one must be an Army member and at least one must be an Air Force member.
Membership of the Association is made up from the following categories:
- Naval (Ex-Officio and Selected)
- Marine (Ex-Officio and Selected)
- Army (Ex-Officio and Selected)
- Air Force (Ex-Officio and Selected)
- Cadet Force
- Representative
- Co-opted
Further information
In proportions as laid down and described in the Scheme of Constitution. All should be British or Commonwealth citizens on becoming members.
Additionally, the Association has created a category of Associate Membership for individuals who wish to be involved, but do not fit one of the categories above. Associate members have no voting rights.
The Association has a permanent staff (many of whom have seen military service), headed by a Chief Executive and working from the Association Offices in York and the ACF Headquarters/Cadet Training Centres in Strensall and Driffield.