Renewal FAQs

In anticipation of some of the queries members may have about the renewal process for 2008, we have compiled a list of answers to the most frequently asked questions. If you have a question that is not covered below, please contact us.

The NCPTA looks forward to receiving your membership renewal and to continuing to support your association throughout 2008.

Renewal and receipt

Q: Why is the renewal notice sent to the Treasurer at the school address and not to the  named contact for our PTA?

A: At this time of year many committee members retire from their role and new committee members join. This makes the key contact details that we hold, for many associations, inaccurate. We send the renewal to the school, marked for the attention of the Treasurer to ensure that the current PTA committeereceive this important mailing.  The renewal notice asks for updated contact details for your PTA. All future correspondence can then be sent to the correct key contact.

Q: When will I get confirmation of membership and who will receive this?

A: At the point of renewal members have the opportunity to confirm or update the key contact details that the NCPTA holds for your association.  The membership receipt for 2008 will be sent directly to the key contact at their nominated address, within ten working days of the payment being taken. Cheque payments will be processed on receipt; Direct Debit payments will be taken during the first week of January (7 – 11) 2008.

Q: When does the NCPTA membership year run from/to?

A: The NCPTA membership year runs from 1 January – 31 December  2008.  For continuous membership and subscription linked insurance cover, make sure that your renewal reaches us no later than 31 December 2007.

Switch to renewal by Direct Debit before the 5 December 2007 and you can save £10 on your annual membership fee. Direct Debit renewals received after the 5 December but before the 31 December, will receive a £5 discount on the annual membership fee. Cheque renewals received by 31 December will also qualify for a £5 discount.

Q: What do I do if I do not receive the membership receipt within the stated time?

A: Firstly, please allow time for the renewal documents to be received and processed. We suggest you allow 15 working days from the date of posting. If, after 15 working days, you have not received your membership receipt for 2008 and you paid by cheque please check with your bank or building society to see if the cheque has been cashed.  If it has, please contact the NCPTA, quoting your membership number, so that we can look into this for you and, if necessary, raise a duplicate receipt.

If the cheque has not been cashed please contact your bank or building society to arrange for a stop to be placed on the cheque. You can then request a duplicate renewal notice and send this with a new cheque to the NCPTA, 39 Shipbourne Road, Tonbridge Kent TN10 3DS. Please remember to quote your membership number.

If you have opted to renew by Direct Debit and the payment has not been taken by Friday 11 January 2008 please contact the NCPTA.

Q: What happens if our association fails to renew by the stated deadline?

A: So that your association can enjoy the full range of member benefits plus continuous subscription linked public liability insurance, your membership renewal documents and method of payment must be received by 31 December 2007. Members who have not sent in a cheque or set up a Direct Debit by 31 December 2007 will be classed as lapsed members, your subscription linked insurance cover will cease and you will no longer be able to use other NCPTA member benefits, including access to the NCPTA website and receipt of member publications such as PTA magazine, News & Views and Your Area.

Q: Do we need additional insurance cover?

A: Included in the NCPTA subscription linked insurance is £500 worth of All Risks cover for PTA owned or purchased equipment. If you have equipment worth up to £500 this is covered at no extra charge but must be clearly detailed on the renewal form.

If you have PTA equipment that is worth more than £500, which you wish to insure, then an additional payment is required. This is calculated at £4.20 per extra £100 or part there of; e.g. a bouncy castle valued at £600 would require additional all risks insurance cover of £100 (£600, less £500 automatically covered). This would be an extra payment of £4.20 in addition to your annual membership fee. Please complete the relevant section of the renewal document.

Q. Where do we send the completed renewal documents

A: Please send to NCPTA, 39 Shipbourne Road, Tonbridge, Kent, TN10 3DS, or use the business reply envelope sent with your renewal notice. 

Renewal by Direct Debit

Q: What are the advantages of paying by Direct Debit?

A: Your association will enjoy continuous membership of the NCPTA and subscription linked public liability insurance for all PTA run events. Switching to payment by Direct Debit by 5 December gives your association a £10 saving and peace of mind that your membership will automatically be renewed each year. Member who renew between the 5 December annd the 31 December will be entitled to a £5 discount on the annual membership fees.

Q: Why are the fees on the Direct Debit mandate lower than those printed on the renewal  form?

A: The fees on the Direct Debit mandate take into account the £10 / £5 discount for switching to  this payment method and for returning your documents to us by 5 December 2007 / 31 December 2007.

Q: When will the Direct Debit payment be taken?

A: If your Direct Debit mandate was sent to arrive by the 5 December 2007, then the total payment will be debited from your account by Friday 11 January 2008. In all other instances, please allow up to 28 days for the DDM to be processed and the payment to be taken (which will not be before the 11 January 2008) . 

Q: What will happen for 2009 – will we still receive a renewal notice if we pay by Direct Debit?

A: Yes. The renewal notice will be generated in the same way. Your association will have time to consider your membership of the NCPTA and amend your method of payment, if you wish.

Q: What happens if there is an error in relation to the Direct Debit payment?

A: Your payment is protected by the Direct Debit guarantee.  All banks and building societies that take part in the Direct Debit scheme offer this guarantee. The efficiency and security of the scheme is monitored and protected by your own bank or building society. If the amount to be paid or the payment dates change you will notified at least ten working days in advance of your account being debited or as otherwise agreed.

If an error is made by the NCPTA, its bankers or your bank or building society you are guaranteed a full and immediate refund, from your branch, of the amount paid. You can cancel a Direct Debit at any time by writing to your bank or building society.

Q: Haven’t we already signed up to pay by Direct Debit?

A: Earlier in the year the NCPTA asked members to sign an Expression of interest form. This  was not a Direct Debit mandate; it was simply a way for the  NCPTA to gauge interest in this  alternative method of payment.

Q: Can I still pay by Direct Debit if I fail to meet the stated deadline?

A: Yes – but the £10 discount only applies to completed mandates received by the 5 December 2007. If you are unable to submit the Direct Debit mandate by the 5 December, please  download an up-to-date Direct Debit mandate, showing the £5 discount (if submitted before the 31 December 2007) or the full year’s fees (i.e. no discount) thereafter.

Q: We are unable to set up a Direct Debit mandate on the type of bank account we have. What are the alternatives?

A: You can pay by cheque or change bank accounts. Member associations that are registered as a charity can open an account with the Charities Aid Foundation Bank Ltd which does allow Direct Debits to be set up. CAF Bank offers preferential interest rates to NCPTA members.

Renewal by cheque

Q: Who should cheques be made payable to?

A: Cheques should be made payable to the NCPTA. Please write your membership number on the back of the cheque

Q: Can I send a personal cheque

A: Yes, the NCPTA will accept a personal cheque