Venue: Committee Room 1 - Civic Centre, Swansea. View directions
No. | Item |
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Disclosures of Personal & Prejudicial Interests from Members. Minutes: None. |
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To approve & sign the Minutes of the previous meeting(s) as a correct record. Minutes: RESOLVED that the Minutes of
the Panel held on 26 September 2016 be agreed as a correct record. |
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Presentation from Aartic Training/British Training Board. Minutes: Adrian Rabey, gave an informative
presentation to the Panel relating to the work of both Aartic
Training and the British Training Board. The companies had been established by him and his brother
Antony in 2014 following the completion of their Army career where they both
served 22 years. They had realised on discharge that the qualifications they
had gained whilst in the Army were not transferable to the civilian employment
market, and saw an opportunity to establish a skills transition service to
assist former service personnel into civilian employment. He indicated that there is an enhanced learning fund from the
MOD which people can utilise and help pay towards course costs, but they have
to make a contribution themselves to the training. Both companies now have 200 plus
courses available across a wide range of employment activities. He outlined the
various companies that they link with to provide employment opportunities. He stated that the companies has now over 1800 veterans on
their books and has just been awarded a “Silver award”. He outlined that a drop in centre has recently been opened in
Eaton Road, Manselton in association with SSAFA and members of the panel were
welcome to attend. He indicated he would also be grateful if members of the panel
would promote and share the services offered by both companies as much as was
possible. |
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Updates from Panel Members. Minutes: Panel Members provided verbal updates relating to the current
and proposed activities, events and workloads of their respective
groups/organisations, including the following areas. Veterans NHS Wales Victoria Williams reported that the service has had 35
referrals in recent times, but the waiting list was now down to six months. She outlined that the Awareness Day Event held in conjunction
with South Wales Police on 6 October at the Army Reserve went very well and
they had received excellent feedback from attendees. She referred to the link up with Barnardo’s and Military
Families. She also detailed the pilot scheme being run by Aberystwyth
University relating to legal aid being available to former military personnel. Change Step Kev Bogdan reported that their service continues to be busy
with 10-12 referrals a month. He indicated they have recently become involved
with a scheme at Swansea Prison following the success of a scheme at Parc Prison Bridgend. South Wales Police Alison Fisher referred to the “Keep Safe Calling Card” project
that has been introduced. She indicated that all former military personnel are
encouraged to sign up. It can greatly aid with identifying appropriate support and
assistance for ex service personnel, especially those with mental health
issues, PTSD etc, particularly around the time of
arrest. She indicated the Police are encouraging doctor’s surgeries to
participate in the scheme and stated she would distribute the information to
the Panel following the meeting. Age Cymru Swansea Bay Nicola Russel-Brooks reported on the potential for her
organisation on behalf of the Panel to be involved in a bid for funding with Age
Alliance Wales. She indicated that the majority of potential funding would be
aimed at refurbishment works at Cambria and the “Woodies” scheme. Steve Jones of the Royal Navy indicated he
thought it was intended that Cambria would be vacated within the next few years , so was unsure what the background too the funding bid could be. She referred to the outline aims and basis of the non-capital
programme part of the project and stated she had struggled to get full
information and as such was unsure whether to commit to support to the scheme.
The aims of the scheme were outlined and discussed, and Members of the Panel
felt that a lot of the proposals were already being carried out in Swansea and
could lead to work duplication, so couldn’t recommend support. University of Wales Trinity St David’s John Howells referred to the start of Phase 1 of the building
in SA1 had started with an anticipated completion date of September 2018. He
also referred to and distributed information on a new degree course they would
be starting relating to Hotel Management. The course would have 3 intakes a
year and have strong work related experience with the Marriott Hotel. SSAFA Dave Singletary invited all Members of the Panel to the annual
SSAFA Ball in the Aberavon Beach Hotel on 4 February 2017. He raised the issue of the Authority including a questionnaire
on all their forms relating to military service. Officers to
look into the issue and report back. He also stated that as he is on the Neath Port Talbot panel he
indicated the possible benefits of a joint meeting or event between the 3 local
panels in order to share information, ideas, best practice etc. Members of the
panel welcomed the suggestion. He also raised a query on the Age Concern “boxes” that older
people have previously been provided with to sort medicines/family contacts in
case of emergencies and whether they were still available. Nicola Russel-Brooks
indicated she thought the scheme was still active but would establish a contact
point and report back. Royal British Legion Tony Colburn reported that the Remembrance day
event held in Mumbles had been successful and well attended. He indicated
though that his branch like many others continue to struggle to find active
volunteers to arrange and organise events. Navy Steve Jones of the Royal Nay confirmed his view that it was intended that Cambria
would be vacated within the next few years, and
to new premises in Cardiff Bay. He also raised the issue of the high cost to the reserve of
placing the Trailer into the city centre and castle square area. The Chair asked that the best wishes of the Panel be passed to
Lt Cdr Ruth Fleming following the recent birth of her baby daughter. Chair June Burtonshaw reported on the discussions she had undertaken
with the Leader regarding the securing of a budget for the work of the
Covenant, to cover such events as Armed Forces Day, Silence in the Square and
assistance for the use of the City Centre for Armed Forces promotion/publicity.
She would continue to progress these funding discussions with the Leader. She indicated that the full Council at its meeting on 1
December had unanimously supported the motion relating to the Royal British
Legions “Count Them In” questionnaire for the census.
She indicated she had also received the support of 2 local MP’s for the
campaign. Aartic Training/British
Training Board Adrian Rabey reported further to his earlier presentation and
indicated that their organisation had recently run a “hospitality “ course and all 4 former military personnel who attended
had secured employment. He also referred to a fund raising event in Gowerton
they had been involved with recently which had raised over £1400. Special Events Nigel Jones referred to the successful “Silence in the Square”
held which attracted close on 1000 people, and welcomed the Chair’s work to
secure a budget for Covenant events. |