Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from D Delamare, T Davies, T Erin, J Mason, P Neville and M Pitson.

In accordance with the provisions of the Code of Conduct adopted by the City and

County of Swansea, no declarations of interest were declared.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the Armed Forces Signatories Panel Meeting held on 12 February 2014.

AGREED that the Minutes of the meeting of the Armed Forces Community Covenant Signatories Meeting held on 12 February 2014 be approved as a correct record.

Members of the Royal British Legion, Swansea Branch, provided the forum with a detailed and informative update report of the British Legion.

Topics covered within the report included;

·         The new ways the Legion reaches out to provide support;

·         Progress to date – Wales

·         Community Outreach locations across Wales

·         New initiatives within the City of Swansea

·         Challenges faced within the Legion

·         Poppy Appeal figures for South West Wales.

Further details of the timetable for future events of the Poppy Appeal 2014 were circulated to the Panel. It was stated that the total raised to date in the City of Swansea was the highest total in 100 years.

A discussion took place in respect of support provided by different charities within the City and County of Swansea.

The Chair thanked the representatives of the British Legion for the informative report and requested that details be published to the Armed Forces Signatories Panel Website.

S Martin, Voluntary Sector Relationship Coordinator provided an update on the Armed Forces Community Covenant Funding Applications.  He informed the Panel of the details and status of applications received to date.

AGREED that:

(1)       the contents of the update be noted;

(2)       means to promote and encourage applications be sought..

Dave Price Deer, Special Events Manager, City and County of Swansea,

provided the Panel a detailed overview of the  planned commemorative

Armed Forces Day.

He stated that Castle Square had been reserved to hold Armed Forces Day

on Saturday 28 June 2014 and that a liaison team including the Lord

Mayor’s Office, Communications and Special Events would be established to

organise and deliver a public focused event at Castle Square.

It was added that as the National celebration day falls on a Saturday, it would

present the perfect opportunity for a better public focus for Swansea to mark

Armed Forces Day 2014.

The Chair provided the Panel with an update on details of the World War One

Centenary Commemoration Poppy planting scheme. She stated that the

distribution of free poppy seeds from the City & County of Swansea had

been a tremendous success, with the entire stock having been passed to

Communities and schools.

AGREED that the date of the next meeting of the Panel be held in the new Municipal year and the Panel be notified of all meeting dates for the year as soon as possible.