Guidance

VAPC East Midlands: meeting minutes 21 January 2019

Updated 24 October 2024

Location

Prince William of Gloucester Barracks Grantham

Present

• Peter Poole (Chair)
• Patrick Rendall
• Michael Whitehead
• Barry Smith
• David Taylor
• Dick Hurwood
• Stav Melides
• Bill Dixon-Dodds
• Janis Mumford
• Gillian Ekins
• Ray Boyfield

In attendance

• Gail Craggs VWS

Apologies

• John Berry
• Larry Henson
• David Wilson
• Helen Drew-Bradley
• Jim Wright
• Ron Gaitpain

Welcome

The Chairman welcomed members to the meeting. In addition he congratulated Janis Mumford on her selection to be chair of Eastern Region.

Declarations of interest

There were no declarations of interest that would conflict with the work of the Committee.

Apologies for absence

The Chairman accepted apologies from those listed who were unable to attend the meeting.

VWS update

Gail Craggs updated the meeting on events the VWS had attended since our last meeting. She also itemised planned future events, in particular the National Veterans Welfare Conference to be held between 5th–7th February 2019. That will include a number of workshops on Mesothelioma, Universal Credit and Resilience. Amongst other events VWS representatives will be attending is the Nottingham Big Breakfast on 2nd February 2019.

A discussion evolved around figures the Career Transition Partnership (CTP) had obtained, which suggested that 94% of leavers were ‘captured’ but that 6% had either slipped through the net or did not want assistance. There was discussion around whether it would be appropriate to write to the CTP about the missing 6% but the Committee concluded that this issue, together with whether the MoD could identify those missing should be raised at the next Chairs meeting.

The Committee noted that a system was to be put in place for early leavers to be connected with the VWS. Once again members asked if there was clarity about where veterans are living in the UK. It was noted that the RAF Association had used Experian some years ago to provide a map of the UK showing where RAF veterans were. The Committee was reminded that Veterans UK could produce data about where WP and AFC recipients live.

Confirmation of minutes of the last meeting held on 17th September 2018

The minutes were confirmed.

Matter arising

Most actions and matters arising from the last meeting were tobe taken as agenda items at this meeting. There was some discussion about support from Vets UK to VAPCs on the matter of GDPR direction. More later.

Future recruitment planning

There had been three applications following the recent advert. One candidate could not make themselves available for interview in January but efforts would be made during February. The Chairman advised that the quality of the candidates was high and hoped we might shortly have two more people to sit on this committee.

Chairs meeting feedback

New Appointments - Kingsley Donaldson from Northern Ireland had been elected to be Chair of Chairs and Jonny Lighten from North West had been elected to the deputy.

Minutes - Whilst the Chairs meeting had been held in October the final minutes were not yet available though the Chairman had received the draft copy and had his own notes from which he could brief the Committee He accepted that this was not satisfactory and had written to Kingsley Donaldson to suggest that there was a lack of capacity in the administration of VAPCs by Veterans UK. There was a discussion around a seeming lack of central guidance to VAPCs from Vets UK, at a time when the workload and output of VAPCs had increased significantly - particularly over the last year. This had not been matched by a similar increase in support from Vets UK.

During the discussion and in answer to a question, the Chairman agreed that VAPCs through the Chair of Chairs had access to the House of Commons Defence Select Committee (HSDSC) but only for specific points.

Communications - The leaflet, which was drawn up by this VAPC, had been adopted and 100 copies had been ordered. In addition the leaflet would be distributed to members by email.

Chairs Meeting - The next Chairs meeting was to be in London and would be attended by Chief of Defence Personnel (CDP). This has come about as a result of a meeting with MOD Veterans Policy staff.

Missing Claimants - There is general concern about whether all those entitled are coming forward to claim. VAPC chairs have been asked to comment ahead of their meeting in March 2019. Members were somewhat puzzled by this as it is up to a claimant to request assistance rather than the 3rd sector or VWS seeking out those who might wish to claim. It was thought this could only be resolved if MOD were to ensure it had complied with its duty of care and responsibility.

Miscellaneous Points - The Chairman was clear that members have Crown Indemnity when out on official VAPC business. After note: The Chairman would seek assurance from Vets UK in writing.

Vets UK was addressing the ID cards issue for members on an individual VAPC basis.

The Chairman checked that the minutes to our meetings are being posted onto the VAPC website and this was confirmed.

Items for the Next Chairs Meeting - The chairman asked members to consider points they might wish to raise at the next Chairs Meeting and forward them to him. He would shortly be circulating an email requesting this.

Business plans update

Before the meeting reports from the Health and Policy and Governance Sub Committee heads had been circulated. The Welfare report would be circulated imminently.

Health

The major point raised was the work being undertaken to ensure GPs had veterans’ accreditation entered onto their system. This has been complicated by differing codes and it is hoped the issue, which is complex across the board and involving more than one agency including MOD, will be resolved by mid February 2019.

Dick Hurwood reported that he had attended meetings with the NHS where acknowledging critical funding issues, it was suggested that Service charities be approached to fund the treatment of veterans as the NHS believed the charities held significant reserves. It was pointed out that by and large the charities did not hold significant funds as the way the system works is that branches of the charities almonise funding from Service benevolent funds and in the case of the Army, normally funds held by regimental headquarters, in order to reduce hardship for deserving veterans. It was acknowledged however, that Service benevolent funds do carry significant funds, but the way that money could be spent was heavily regulated.

Dick Hurwood raised Mental Health First Aid training and agreed to investigate whether funding remained allocated. After note: Funding is now finished.

Policy and Governance - a detailed report had been circulated to members before the meeting and is attached to these minutes.

It was reported that Civil Military Partnership Boards were generally working well across the region. The attendance at these meetings was sometimes mixed and Barry Smith was encouraging LAs to try and ensure that all the stakeholders should be represented. Derbyshire, however, had not yet taken any planning action with regards to the AFC.

Barry Smith informed the meeting that funding for Council AFC Project Officers was coming to an end and Northamptonshire’s project officer had now moved to Cambridgeshire as a direct result. Her post in Northamptonshire, however has been funded for another 2 years by the CEO’s of the relevant LAs and the post has been advertised with a closing date of 29 Jan 19. This is an important decision as it demonstrates the value that the councils attach to having a AFC DO post within their establishments. There was no doubt that the outcomes from these individuals had been meaningful and very beneficial across the region and it was felt that through the Chair of Chairs VAPCS should be lobbying for the Council AFC officers to be properly and permanently funded.

Welfare - The Welfare sub-committee had been focusing on veterans in custody. A scoping meeting had taken place to discuss veterans in custody taking into account their treatment, the socialising issues of ex Service personnel and the lack of understanding of these within the community. The meeting included Police, mental health agencies and Skillforce. This was an on going issue where veterans experience and background should be shared with community organisations. In addition there had been discussion about veterans being issued with a brain injury card where appropriate. An example was shown to the meeting.

Communications - Michael Whitehead shared his frustration about the lack of digitalisation of training packages, for if people had to travel to receive training it was expensive and inflexible. He was prepared to digitalise training notes and aids on behalf of Vets UK to enable training to take place within regions and in homes with members using their own IT systems. This would be raised with Vets UK. Michael Whitehead agreed to circulate an aid to viewing twitter without actually joining it.

Breakfast clubs

Barry Smith was grateful for the support of members who have attended the Breakfast Clubs across the region. He noted that in some cases Lord Lieutenants had attended and were listening to the themes put forward by veterans. The next breakfast club event would be on 2nd February 2019 in Nottingham and he would welcome members who would like to support the event. It had already been agreed that the VAPC would donate up to £500 to each of the breakfast club events. Our current fund value is approaching £2,200 and thus far £472 has been spent.

Data vault update

The was some discussion around a perception of a lack of direction from Vets UK, including assistance with the implementation of GDPR. Neither the Chairman or vice Chairman had received the promised DVD. There was an urgent requirement for a policy and the Chairman agreed to raise this at the Chairs Meeting.

Ministers to civil military partnership boards

It was agreed that subject to agreement by Councils it would be useful for Ministers with a responsibility for the AFC in their departments to attend Civil Military Partnership Boards. Dick Hurwood chairs the Leicestershire Civil Military Partnership Board in his role as a DL. He would seek agreement from the Council and respond to the Vice Chair in order that an approach could be made to Ed Argar MP.

Any other business

Michael Whitehead would investigate the setting up of an EM VAPC “Whats App” Group so that members could communicate securely. It was pointed out that some of us did not currently subscribe to Whats App!

Date of next meeting

The next meeting is to take place at 10.30 am on 18th March 2019 at Grantham.