VAPC East Midlands: meeting minutes 16 June 2025
Updated 26 August 2026
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Date
Monday 16 June 2025
Location
Officers’ Mess, Kendrew Barracks
Present
- Ian Crowe (IC) (Interim Chair)
- Barry Smith (BS) (Industry/Transition Lead)
- Helen Carter (HC) (Member)
- Andrew Holt (AH) (CJS Lead)
- Michael Whitehead (MW) (Communications Lead/Secretary)
- Debbie Nicholls (DN) (Co-opted Member)
- Thomas Smith (TS) (Housing Lead)
- Paul Drury (Co-opted Member) (PD)
Apologies
- Philip Brooks-Stephenson (Industry/Transition Lead)
Not Present
- David Tomlinson (DT) (Member)
- Ian Bustin (IB) (Member)
- Brendan Daly (BD) (Member)
1. Welcome and Opening Remarks
The Interim Chair welcomed members to the meeting.
2. Apologies for absence
One apology received and two non attendees
3. Declarations of interest
There were no declarations of interest that would affect the work of the committee.
4. Veterans Services (VS) update
A verbal update was given by BS and MW to contact Veterans Welfare Service (VWS) for a written update, which will be circulated when received.
5. Minutes of last meeting and actions arising
Matters arising:
- Find out more about VALOUR
- Invite Carol Gray - GOV.UK (not for now)
- Individual reports - discussed and amended for this meeting
- Accommodation sites for ex forces - discussions continued.
6. Recent Ministerial Engagement and VALOUR
Members were updated by the chair and noted that a further report is to be given to the Minister by the end of the month. This has now been circulated to members.
All members agreed to support veterans by promoting the hubs to be included in VALOUR.
7. Chair’s Activity
The Chair noted that a number of activities had taken place. Leicester University was highlighted.
8. Individual Member Updates
Each member provided updates on their activity since the last meeting and the Chair thanked them for their efforts. This included feedback from the following Common Interest Groups (CIG’s):
- Employment and Transitioning
- Education (Schooling)
- Health and Wellbeing
- Housing and Homelessness
- Law and the CJS
- Finance and Debt
9. Any other business
Noise induced hearing loss was discussed and members noted the current confusion regarding help and support claims.
Housing initiative discussed by PD, this will be addressed in the next meeting.
Armed Forces Week, which includes Reservists Day on the Wednesday, identified as taking place next week.
12. Date of next meeting
The next EM VAPC meeting will be a face-to-face meeting and will take on 6 October 2025 from 10.30am. Venue to be confirmed (MW).