Guidance

VAPC London: meeting minutes 18 June 2025

Updated 18 September 2025

Venue: Barclays Rise, 41 Luke Street, London EC2A 4DP with some members joining using Microsoft Teams

Time: 4pm to 5.30pm

Present 

Robin Herzberg (FRH) – Chairman

Jim Blake (JB)

Caroline Flynn Macleod (CFM)

Larry Stone (LS)

Frances Luczyc Wyhowska (FLW)

Apologies 

Victoria Bell (VB)

Annabel Goulding (AG)

Bishnu Gurung (BG)

Carl Stephen Patrick Hunter OBE (CSPH)

Adam Kurzeja (AK)

Charles Perrett (CP)

Alpa Raja (AR)

Alex Woolgar-Toms (AWT)

Welcome 

The chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Apologies for absence 

It was noted that VB, AG, BG, CSPH, AK, CP, AR and AWT were unable to attend.

Minutes of 19 March 2025 meeting 

The minutes, which had been circulated, were approved and were ready to be sent to the Ministry of Defence (‘MOD’) for publication.

Action: FRH 

Matters arising

There were no matters arising.

Report to the minister

FRH confirmed that the regional chairs attended a meeting with the Minister for Veterans and People, Al Carns, on 22 April 2025. At that meeting the Minister had requested a paper setting out what unique selling points the VAPCs could offer, and how the VAPCs might be able to fit into the structure of Project Valour.

FRH reported that, since then, the MOD had issued announcements on Valour dated 5 May 2025 and 23 May 2025. The structure would consist of a Valour headquarters, a network of support centres and a series of regional field officers.

FRH reported that the paper requested by the Minister had been prepared and duly submitted on the morning of 18 June 2025. Unique selling points identified included independence and impartiality, deep local footprints, authentic veteran advice and support, subject matter expertise, acting as a bridge across stakeholders, and cost effectiveness and commitment. Also the VAPC unique network and experience will be able to amplify and extend the work of the new Valour regional field officers cost effectively.

FRH reported that in the meantime VAPCs were not allowed to recruit new members and many members who had come to the end of their terms had not been extended or re-appointed.

JB suggested that the London VAPC might consider co-opting members. It was agreed to identify suitable candidates.

Communications with local Members of Parliament

CFM reported, that as agreed at the previous meeting, she had written to local Members of Parliament to remind them of the role of VAPCs and to advise them that the committee had submitted a wide-ranging report on a series of topics. All local Members of Parliament had acknowledged the letter and some had requested meetings. These meetings have taken place and were well received. It was agreed that thank CFM for her extensive work in this regard.

JB reported that he was in communication with his local Member of Parliament on issues relating to veterans’ health.

Statutory instrument

FRH reported that, although a working group had been established to draft the statutory instrument needed to implement the provisions in the VAPC

Act 2023, officials were still awaiting input from the Minister before putting the document before parliament.

Strategy development

FRH reported that Stewart Blackburn, Chair of the UKCVC, had updated the Strategy Document, but that the final document would need to be informed by direction from the Minister.

Performance data

FRH reported on recent data relating to the War Pensions Scheme (WPS) and the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS). WPS relates to injury, illness or death before 6 April 2005 and AFCS relates to injury, illness or death after that date.

FRH reported that he had visited Armed Forces Veterans Services (AFVS) at Norcross Lane in Thornton-Cleveleys on 3 June 2025 and, through a series of helpful briefings by AFVS staff, had received some good insight into the issues causing delays. The committee again expressed strong concerns about the length of time it was taking to get claims processed.

FLW noted that the process for applying for compensation was extremely daunting, especially for veterans who were already facing mental health issues.

JB noted that, in context of the digitalization of medical records, it should be possible to make use of artificial intelligence to highlight key aspects of the medical data in the hope of accelerating the assessment process.

Reports from the common interest groups

FRH reported that LS, FLW and himself continued to represent the committee on the Employment and Transitioning Common Interest Group (‘CIG’). LS was liaising with the US Embassy to arrange a meeting with representatives of the US Department of Defence, but the embassy continued to be extremely busy. It was agreed to consider approaching other high-level contacts in the US Armed Forces to deepen our understanding of the way veterans are cared for in the US.

FRH reported that AR continued to represent the committee on the Health CIG. Meanwhile, JB and AK represent the committee on the Housing CIG, and AWT represents the committee on the Veterans and the Law CIG.

LS reported that he was in touch with the Patient Safety Commissioner who had sent him recent material on NHS veterans’ engagement and future programmes.

Working from the Greater London Authority and London boroughs

FRH reported that a meeting had been arranged with the Armed Forces Champion at Westminster City Council.

Working with military charities

FRH reported that he had met with Anna-Marie Tipping, who is the regional lead for London for the NHS Veterans Aware Programme, on 20 March 2025.

FRH reported that FLW, LS and himself had met with Vanya Leslie and Marc Foley, who were integration managers for the new Career Transition Partnership contractor, Reed in Partnership, on 27 May 2025.

FRH reported that he had also met with Bruce Holborn, campaigns manager at the Royal British Legion, on 29 May 2025.

FLW reported that FRH and herself would be meeting senior representatives from The Not Forgotten on 25 June 2025.

FLW reported that she continued to attend the drop-ins at the Royal Hospital Chelsea and that she continued to liaise with representatives from various charities, including The Fighting Chance.

FLW also mentioned that she had received a demonstration of a new app entitled “weServed” which had secured financial backing from several large companies.

Working with the Greater London Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association

LS reported that, because of illness, the proposed meeting with the Greater London Reserve Forces and Cadets Association continued to be deferred.

Any other business

JB expressed concern about the continued lack of coordination within the charities sector, and between charities and local authorities. Likewise, campaigns, petitions and lotteries were being initiated in support of a wide range of issues, also without apparent coordination. FRH reported that he understood that this lack of coordination was one of the issues that Project Valour was intended to address.

Date of the next meeting

It was agreed that the next meeting would take place at 4pm on 17 September 2025 at Barclays Eagle Labs or by video conference.