Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor J E Burtonshaw, Sophie O’Kelly, Raymond Ciborowski and Steve Stokoe.

In accordance with the Code of Conduct adopted by the City & County of Swansea, no interests were declared.

To agree as a correct record the Minutes of the Armed Forces Community Covenant Signatories Panel meeting held on 24 June 2015

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Meeting of the Armed Forces Community Covenant Signatories Panel held on 24 June 2015, be agreed as a correct record. 

The Voluntary Sector Relationship Co-ordinator provided a verbal update regarding Armed Forces Covenant Funding. 

He outlined that he and the Vice Chair had attended a meeting in Cardiff where they were informed regarding how grants were progressed.  He detailed the application process undertaken by applicants prior to approval by the Ministry of Defence (MOD).  He added that a new grant programme was being introduced by the MOD and would pay £10m per annum in perpetuity, which included £8m for larger applicants and £2m for lower amount applications.  However, the £2m would be distributed pro-rata throughout the country.

Furthermore, applications would be fully electronic but local authorities had been removed from the application process.  The MOD would make all payments and monitor applications regionally.  It had also been proposed that another level of meetings be introduced with the Chair and Vice Chair representing council areas.  It had also been proposed that the majority of applications be considered via email.  The MOD aspired to having 7 regional panels to consider applications.

It was commented that the MOD had underestimated the involvement of officers in the process.

The contents of the report were noted.

Judith Roberts, De Oscuro provided the meeting with an outline presentation regarding the work of Triptych.  She referred to the tour of Afghanistan by the Welsh Guards and commented on the dignity of the families in interviews following the loss of family members on active service.

She added that she had attended monthly meetings organised by the Royal British Legion and was astounded by the willingness of people to speak and their openness.  Triptych grew out of interviews with people on camera and included former service personnel and family members speaking on camera.  Furthermore, it also involved a fictional story regarding 3 generations within the South Wales Valleys with the third part being a dance piece.  Veterans who watched the presentation were very moved.  Triptych presented to small audiences in Cardiff, North Wales and Llanelli. 

The aim was to open the production to a wider audience next year and she asked the Panel for help and suggestions for proceeding.  She added that veterans would be seen in a different light if a wider audience watched the production.

The Chair thanked Judith Roberts for providing the presentation.

Panel Members provided updates relating to the activities and events involving their Groups / Organisations.

The Chair thanked all present for their contributions.

The Panel requested that the meeting scheduled for 23 December 2015 be moved to a suitable date in January 2016.

AGREED that Democratic Services liaise with the Chair and schedule the next meeting on a suitable date in January 2016.