I would be very surprised indeed if the accounts released by BASSA gave anything more than a high level consolidated view.
The issue is not that anyone believes there has been any fraud – there is no evidence or even hearsay which supports that position.
The reason why it’s important for BASSA to release its accounts is to demonstrate:
1. that proper records are indeed being kept
2. compliance with the law
3. transparency to its membership (and former membership)
4. ensure the membership understand the size of the budget and, at a high level (including remuneration of officers), where the money is going
If releasing such information prompts further enquiries it is for the membership as a whole to ask more questions. After all, as we are continually told, “BASSA is run by and for its membership”.
Many BASSA members have no concept of the large budget (approx £1.5m-£2m per annum) collected by BASSA, don’t know how much the Reps and Branch Secretary get paid/take as fees and have no ability to influence or see how any of this gets spent; by any measure that is appalling.
An individual BASSA member/former member should not have to resort to potentially costly legal avenues to extract information; the requirements of the legislation are clear, and Unite itself should support its own members and former members in facilitating access – there is at this stage no need to involve “professionals”. Its auditors also have a serious professional responsibility to ensure Unite and BASSA comply with legislation.
The possible creation of “BASSA Ltd.” is also something which should be brought to members’ attention, if indeed it is a connected entity, as well as the similarly opaque accounting of CrewDefence, both of which may not be covered by the legislation.
Beyond the issue of the accounts, there is also the matter of the legal requirement to hold regular Branch Elections, every five years, contained within section 46-53 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations Act 1992 (except in cases where the election is uncontested, though the process which led to the “show of hands” is not clear to me).
Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992
That is a more complex area for which some form of legal advice might be helpful; nonetheless before contesting the Branch elections, the first stage should be release of the historic accounts, as required by the legislation.
If indeed it is proven that the BASSA Branch Committee Elections were not properly held (the need to hold another election being overridden by a show of hands at a meeting of under 1000 of the 9,000+ membership) then that is most serious, as the officers are effectively receiving their income without complying with the requirement to hold a proper election.
It still concerns, but doesn't surprise, me that there is such a lack of interest on the part of BASSA members on these matters.