Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED that Councillor J Burtonshaw be elected Chair for the 2014/2015 Municipal Year.

Councillor J Burtonshaw (Chair) Presided

RESOLVED that Captain C Evans be elected Vice Chair for the 2013/2014 Municipal Year.

Apologies for absence were received from Chief Superintendent Phil Davies, Richard Webborn, Dani Delamare, Margaret Lane, Jan Worthing, Carol Green, Dave Price – Deer, Nigel Jones and Joanne Cutler.

In accordance with the provisions of the Code of Conduct adopted by the City and County of Swansea, no declarations of interest were made.

The Chair extended her welcome to all in attendance at the meeting.

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Armed Forces Community Covenant Signatories Panel held on 14 April, 2014 be approved and signed as a correct record.

MATTERS ARISING.

Armed Forces Day.

           The Chair reported the success of the Armed Forces Day / Fly The Flag

           Service. It was estimated that 3 – 4000 people had participated in or watched

           the activities held in Castle Square. The Special Events Senior Manager had

           reported that the success achieved had demonstrated the potential for growth

           in future years.

The Chair provided the Panel an overview on the following forthcoming Special Events:

World War 1 Commemorative Concert at the Brangwyn Hall - 20 September 2014;

Remembrance concert at the Brangwyn Hall – 8 November 2014;

Silence in the Square event in Castle Square - 11 November 2014;

Homecoming Parade for the Queens Dragoon Guards (The Welsh Cavalry)

12 December 2014.

Councillor A C Colburn, Mumbles & South Gower British Legion, provided details of the Legions Memorial Service and Wreath Laying Ceremony – 4 August 2014.

The Chairman of SSAFA provided details of SSAFA Annual Golf Tournament -

Further information in relation to Commemorative Events could be viewed at the Councils Website - http://www.swansea.gov.uk/ww1

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 the contents of the update be noted.

The Chair introduced for discussion means to promote and expand the Armed Forces Community Covenant.

AGREED that;

(1)       Captain C Evans hosts a future event to promote the Covenant;

(2)       The Voluntary Sector Relationship Coordinator liaises with Captain Evans to promote the event and encourage organisations to attend.

Apologies for absence had been received from the Cruse Bereavement Care organisation.

The Voluntary Sector Relationship Coordinator circulated details of Cruse Bereavement Care. He stated that the organisation would attend a future meeting of the Panel to present details of how the organisation supports Military Families.

V Williams, Clinical Lead for ‘All Wales Veterans Health and Wellbeing’ provided the Panel a briefing on the service of the Veterans NHS Wales.

She stated that the aims of the charity were to improve the mental health and well-being of veterans through the development of sustainable, accessible and effective services.

The Chair thanked Ms Williams for her briefing and praised the charitable work of the organisation.

Steve Stockoe, Peer Mentor for Change Step, provided the Panel with a detailed briefing on the charity organisation.

He stated that the peer mentoring and advice service, delivered by veterans for veterans, aimed to support those seeking help for problems encountered as a result of military or operational duty.

It was outlined that the programme offers peer support, training opportunities and signposting to relevant health and welfare services.

Change Step works collaboratively with statutory bodies and other relevant organisations to ensure an accessible and comprehensive framework by which to guide individuals towards the most appropriate service.

The Chair thanked Mr Stokoe for his informative briefing and welcomed his attendance to future meetings of the Panel.

AGREED that the date and time of the next meeting of the Panel be noted.

The Chair thanked all Officers for their contributions to the meeting.  

The meeting ended at 2.50pm.

                        CHAIR