Guidance

VAPC north east England meeting minutes 2 November 2020

Updated 14 October 2021

Present

• Lesley Smith (Acting Chair) (LJS)
• Laurie McLeman (LM)
• Lawrence O’Halleron (LOH)
• Mark Thirlwell (MT)
• Michael Potts (MPo)
• Peter Sinclair (PS)
• Sheila Crosby (SCr)
• Sean Cockburn (SCo)

In attendance

• Deborah Moretti (VWS) (DM)
• Jacqui Nicholson (Co-Opt) (joined item 8) (JN)

Apologies

• Ben Halfpenny (BH)
• Mark Stead (MS)
• Mel Pears (MPe)
• Alan Pearson (VWS) (AP)

Declarations of interest

The Chair reminded members that should anything be discussed at the meeting which might constitute a conflict of interest between their personal life and VAPC business, they are required to declare such interest and take no part in the item concerned.

There were no specific Declarations of Financial or Pecuniary Interest, with one member declaring an ongoing matter with Vets UK who would recuse should conflict arise.

Introduction of all members

The Chair welcomed all members and invited members not present at the last meeting to introduce themselves.

Confirmation of minutes and matters arising

Minutes of the meeting were agreed.

Matters Arising:

Sept20 – 7.4 MS to feedback on discussion with DWP network around AF Champions and funding availability from Pilot Scheme (confirmed in earlier COBSEO meeting)

Nov20 – 14.1 MT confirmed he had received joining information from Vets UK regarding the transformation program test panel. PS also confirmed interest and Chair to recommend his participation with Vets UK.

Chair’s update

The Chair provided an update on current membership and recruitment. Chair interviews have taken place and submission made to Minister, with decision expected December/January.

Chairs Conference confirmed 17/18th November, with explanation on how they run for the benefit of new members. Minister has been asked for clarity around his perception of role undertaken by VAPC. It was confirmed there is a Vets UK Budget Allocation annually of £30k to support VAPC, yet from all appointees provide over £1.3m of human capital benefit to the Government.

Veterans UK are now providing a minimal level of support to Committees, so ID cards are now available to all members who need them.

National Chair has standing invite to Covenant in the Community Conference, going forward. Virtual meeting held November and minutes will be shared if/when received. PMN – no minutes received.

AFF Northumberland remote meeting due to be held December, once date confirmed volunteer will

National Chair representative now sits on a monthly Veterans Community of Practice, a cross departmental dial in meeting hosted by the OVA, which is providing insight into their areas of focus at a national level.

The Veterans Advisory Board – remit was discussed in OVA meeting on 22nd October at which it was formally introduced. Chair shared the information on panel makeup as provided by OVA.

Veterans strategy delivery group met in October 2020, discussing 3rd Sector alignment and data collection, as well as the Disability Strategy.

Work being undertaken at national level on issues around exempt commonwealth service personnel being charged fees to remain the UK. Feedback requested via Chair to forward to national sub-committee.

Veterans welfare service - regional report

AP apologies received. DM confirmed nothing to report, VWS operating BAU services at this time.

Chair asked DM to confirm contact details for VWS Representative who covers the region from North Yorkshire border to south of the Tyne, so they can also receive invites to the meetings. Service provision between Glasgow control and Norcoss control does seem to be very different. Chair confirmed no reporting in over 4 years received for Southern part of the region.

Lack of reporting was discussed. DM confirmed Vets UK are happy to provide whatever is required. Chair to follow up with regional data request. PS confirmed previous data was provided around wait times for appears, reconsiderations etc. Chair confirmed understanding on reporting available is minimal due to manual nature of record keeping. Will ask for min/max if possible.

Disability within the NE Veteran community

MPo introduced paper submitted to prior meeting and asked for any feedback committee members had that might support his submission on behalf of the Regional Network, for inclusion in the National Disability Strategy. Concern is that Veterans needs are not being considered as part of the strategy. Members are asked to feedback directly to MPo. It was widely felt across the committee that Veterans MUST be represented in this strategy.

DM will raise at team meeting in November to see if any case studies could be provided as part of a submission.

War pensions and DWP

Subject matter crosses extensively with the discussion at 6. Feedback that mental health is NOT seen as a disability / hidden wound, and many veterans are not supported in getting the benefits they are entitled to.

MPo confirmed consideration in Green Paper (National Disability Strategy) to have DWP Advocates in Job Centres, although Champions have proven to be ineffective historically as not defined roles and often “voluntary”.

WPS and AFCS are very complex and DWP front line staff, especially those dealing with Universal Credit, are not familiar with any of the complexities. These are particularly around the complexities within payment elements within awards, some of which can, others which cannot, be considered as part of income for UC benefit claims.

PS has been undertaking “secret shopper” calls which provided a very wide frame of results, from good to VERY poor advice around claim eligibility. Veterans in the region are being made homeless following incorrect advice being given.

Working Group to be formed to bring together recommendations for national feedback as well as to MPo for inclusion in his Regional Network response to the green paper and national strategy.

Discussion was had as to whether VAPC NE continue to look into developing training/flowcharts etc for DWP – to be considered further but complexity may make this difficult. Await feedback from MS.

Appointments update

Chair interviews complete and appointment pending.

More committee members still needed (at least 4 vacancies remain on the committee). Co-opt will be considered via Chair.

Key committee appointments

Volunteers were requested for a number of key appointments within the committee, which will be recruited immediately the permanent Chair is confirmed.

• Deputy Chair
• Secretary
• Communications Officer

Further specialist liaison roles within the committee would also improve both regional and national cross organisational working and volunteers were sought to act in these roles:

i. Health/Mental Health (future co-opt suggested) ii. Military (Mark Steed volunteered) iii. Judiciary (Ben Halfpenny volunteered) iv. Local Government (vacant) v. DWP/Employment (vacant) vi. Housing (vacant)

National sub-working groups are also being created, or already in existence, to further the work in these areas.

VFR Hub

Some members have struggled to get onto VFR hub (difficulties with activation code).

Administrator of VFR hub to be provided with details of ALL members, unless chair advised of contrary requirement by members.

AOB

PS advised Veterans rail card now available to order (33% off)

Phoenix House at Catterick has been wound down to point of closure, due to shortage of funding available from Help for Heroes. Finchale offered to take over some of the support services currently being provided but Band of Brothers have not provided any information. Finchale and WWW are working with local providers in the near vicinity to support any

WWW have launched new HIS mental health support service, for acute crisis, in partnership with NHS, with 4 VLO’s, and house visits are being made. MT looking to see if any data might support - Chair confirmed liaison role appointee could confirm data requirements post appointment.

10th November – North East Armed Forces Forum (SCo to attend)

Next meetings

DONM Friday 11th December 2020 at 10am

2021 meetings will revert to quarterly dates, as in previous years, with exact dates subject to agreement in December.

• March
• June
• September
• December