Agenda and minutes

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None.

To approve & sign the Minutes of the previous meeting(s) as a correct record.

Resolved that the Minutes of the Panel held on 23 July 2017 be agreed as a correct record.

 

The Chair welcomed Grace Halfpenny to her first meeting of the Panel, since her recent appointment.

 

Grace Halfpenny thanked the Chair for her welcome and indicated she was looking forward to working with all the partner organisations.

Panel Members provided verbal updates relating to the current and proposed activities, events and workloads of their respective groups and organisation, including the following areas:

 

Army

Chris Evans reported with pleasure that the City & County of Swansea had recently been awarded the Gold award in the Employer Recognition Scheme. He stated that a lot of background work and effort had gone into securing the award in the last twelve months, since the authority secured the silver award.  The Authority is the first in Wales to achieve this success. The award will be presented at a ceremony in Cardiff in November.

 

He stated that there was scope to hold the flag raising ceremony for Armed Forces Day over the Air Show weekend, next year again, further discussions would be required on this issue.

 

There are also plans for various events to commemorate the 50^th Anniversary of Swansea being grated City Status.

 

He indicated that all the necessary paperwork has been submitted for the upcoming parades.

 

He indicated that two further open days are being held at the Grange on 22 & 29 November and an Employer event on 28 November.

 

He stated that 157 Regiment had recently formed a partnership arrangement with the Llandarcy Academy of Sport.

 

He referred to the recent opening of the excellent Bulldogs Gym facility in Baglan which had been partially funded through a covenant grant. The facility was available free for veterans to use.

 

He indicated that the review of the Covenant agreement will begin shortly and all partner agencies will be contacted to resign and new organisations will also be encouraged to join.

 

Special Events

David Price-Deer indicated that the ‘Now the Hero’ event was being held in and around the Brangwyn Theatre between 25-29 September and tickets were still available for some performances.

 

He indicated that the ‘Silence in the Square’ event will take place in Castle Square at 11am on Remembrance Sunday.

 

Help for Heroes

Nick Vanderpump reported on the successful ‘Discovery Day’ event held in Pontypridd in August.

 

He reported on the success of the coaching scheme held with the Ospreys/WRU which has resulted in coaching qualifications for several veterans.

 

Citizens Advice Bureau

Jackie Preston reported that the service had recently moved into new premises in Wind Street. She also indicated that the service will celebrate its 80^th Anniversary next year.

 

Bellyful CIC

Gemma Lelliott, Business Development Manager at Bellyful CIC introduced the company which is based in Swansea and operates as a social enterprise and aims to tackle food poverty through the provision of a quality food service to the public, particularly the older and more vulnerable in the community.

 

She indicated that the business was looking to expand from its roots in the Swansea area, especially though the winter months.

 

The Poppy Factory

Natalie Mccombe reported that her organisation was part of the ‘Swansea Working’ group, which was aiming to develop its own veteran’s link.

 

She reminded the Panel that her organisation was able to provide employability support and advice to veterans.

 

Veterans Club

Sandy Shaw reported that the organisation formed 7 months ago has now expanded from 2 to 5 meetings a week, with areas across the City now being covered.

 

Blesma

Jason Suller reported that he had recently been appointed as an outreach officer for the organisation and was looking to hold events in this area and expand the membership across the country.

 

He outlined the proposals for the development of a ‘Digital Volunteer Programme’ which aims to encourage people to get online and deal with basic IT issues such as e mail/e banking etc.

 

Life Stages Team

Dominic Nutt indicated that he had recently taken over the 50+ network and was looking to expand it and attract new members to the group.

 

He indicated that he has current members of the network who are looking to become volunteers for groups and was happy to share any request/information from Panel Members with the group.

 

Navy

Ruth Fleming indicated she had attended the launch of the ‘Bulldogs’ gym facility in Baglan, and highly commended the excellent facility.

 

She welcomed the installation of the ‘Remembrance’ benches across the City.

 

She referred to a potential ‘Remembrance’ event at Museum Square in conjunction with the Royal British Legion, and the plans for a ladies rugby match between the Royal Navy and Swansea.

 

SCVS

Alex Baharie indicated that her organisation was also part of the “Employability” network, and referred to the ‘Volunteering in Wales’ website which Panel Members may find useful.

 

EFT

Adrian Matthews referred to the Wellbeing Pilot Scheme that his company is looking to introduce which hopefully will involve veterans.

 

British Training Board

Adrian Rabey reported that the scheme his company offers relating to retraining was being expanded to former officers of South Wales Police as well as armed forces veterans.

 

He indicated that the companies Community Covenant bid is shortly to be resubmitted.

 

British Training Board

Antony Rabey reported on the ongoing work with Training for Heroes relating to the guaranteed interview scheme.

 

He indicated the company was also in the process of applying for the Employer Recognition Gold Award.

 

Swansea Council

 

June Burtonshaw reported that she continues to work with partner agencies on individual cases that are brought to her attention.

 

She referred to the installation of the ‘Remembrance’ benches across the City, and indicated she was due to meet with Phil Flower shortly to discuss proposals for upcoming events.

 

Spencer Martin thanks all the partner agencies for their assistance in achieving the Gold award.