Guidance

VAPC north east England meeting minutes 18 September 2020

Updated 14 October 2021

Present

• Lesley Smith (Acting Chair) (LJS)
• Mel Pears (MPe)
• Mark Stead (MS)
• Mark Thirlwell (MT)
• Laurence O’Halleron (LOH)
• Sean Cockburn (SCo)
• Laurie McLeman (LM)
• Ben Halfpenny (BH)

In attendance

• Deborah Moretti (VWS) (DM)
• Alan Pearson (VWS) (AP)
• Richard Liddle (Co-Opt) (RL)
• Jacqui Nicholson (Co-Opt) (joined item 8) (JN)

Apologies

• Michael Potts (MPo)
• Peter Sinclair (PS)
• Sheila Crosby (SCr)
• Andy Sutherland (Co-Opt) (AS)
• Kara Sennett (Co-Opt) (KS)
• Johnny Lighten (National Chair) (JL)

Declarations of interest

The Chair reminded members that should anything be discussed at the meeting which might constitute a conflict of interest between their personal life and VAPC business, they are required to declare such interest and take no part in the item concerned.

There were no Declarations of Financial or Pecuniary Interest.

Introduction of all members

The Chair welcomed all the new members, as well as existing and co-opted members, and invited all members to introduce themselves.

Confirmation of minutes and matters arising

The members were advised that no minutes were issued following the meeting of 9th September 2019, and neither the Chair or Secretary remain members of the committee. As such no minutes were offered for review or confirmation but will be issued going forward.

No known matters arising as no minutes issued.

Chair’s update

A brief overview of the historical committee issues, pertaining to the committee vacancies was provided by the Chair.

The Chair also provided an update on current membership and recruitment. Interviews for vacant chair position are scheduled for early October. Applications for members are live and being accepted until late October, with a view to interview late 2020 in readiness for Ministerial confirmation of appointment early 2021.

All members were asked to review the latest edition of the Members handbook, issued with the meeting papers, as Vets UK confirmed updates had been made.

Other regional committees had updated National Committee with concerns around availability and capacity of Veterans UK to deal with any work during the pandemic, with significant staff furlough, minimal workstreams having technological capability to work off site and the lockdown measures required for such a large facility as Norcross. It is understood that no calls could be answered and all queries were to be made via email, with delayed response times.

OVA has appointed a new board, The Veterans Advisory Board, comprised of 12 people from both military and non-military background. VAPC have not been involved nor advised of the introduction of this board and National Chair is seeking further information from the OVA around appointment process and Board remit.

OVA focusing on Black Veterans through September and October, with publicity and media campaigns.

National Committee will be holding their bi-annual meeting with the Minister and Veterans UK in November, likely remotely dependent upon Covid-19 restrictions in place. Chair will update the November meeting once National Committee has confirmed subject matters under discussion.

The Chair invited discussion of the focus of the Committee going forward and it was agreed that focus should be given to 3 major issues, especially where they align with the National Committee agenda. Further work is required to identify these projects.

Veterans welfare service - regional report

Alan Pearson introduced himself, having taken over the day to day responsibility for Northern Region (Tyneside) from Alan Heron in readiness for his retirement.

Welfare Visits cannot be held in person at this time, but support is being provided remotely and any claims issued via post for signature.

AP confirmed that the region is continuing to experience the same problems as historically, specifically around lack of understanding of the benefit system in so far as how it pertains to Veterans, along with the differing treatment of veterans from borough to borough, and the need to repeat claims (and their associated issues arising again) when moving between boroughs/councils.

National Committee has raised concerns with Vets UK about the lack of data available on claims and appeals. Following the National Committee meeting of November 2019, Vets UK has confirmed that whilst regional information is still not available they are able to provide some data collated at a National Level. DM agreed to look into availability of data further and report at next meeting.

AP advised that where possible further information on issues seen within the community will be presented at VAPC meetings for discussion.

Disability within the NE Veterans community

Michael Potts invited the committee to prepare a response for inclusion in some work he is undertaking, as Chair of Regional Welfare Committee and outside his NE VAPC role. There were no comments at this time so item will be added to agenda for future discussion. Consider working group for some future feedback.

War pensions and DWP

Peter Sinclair offered a paper for discussion around the issues created by lack of understanding within the DWP of war pensions and their effect of benefits. This is exacerbated by the new benefits regime (Universal Credit) and its associated computer system not differentiating between types of Pension Veterans may be in receipt of.

AP confirmed some of the issues highlighted are definitely seen in the region, likely misunderstanding on both applicant and DWP parts around whether pensions should/should not be included when considering income.

MT also supported the contents of the paper and has frontline experience of such issues supporting veterans in his day to day role.

It was agreed that further work is required in this area, including the re-engagement of the Committee with Armed Forces Champions within the senior level of regional DWP. It was also suggested that some documentation might be prepared to provide flowcharts/principles and processes to be followed when assessing veterans that can be shared to the AF Champions for onward training within DWP teams. MPe noted the frequency of changes of AF Champions which needs to be considered & suggested we need to work with a core group at senior level to ensure consistency within AF Champions Network in DWP.

MS confirmed at an earlier COBSEO meeting that funding was set aside within DWP for AF champions in a pilot scheme. MT will follow up with senior official in his network (within DWP) and will forward details to NEVAPC

Post Meeting Note: PS will be invited to present his research at the next meeting, to enable committee to progress 7.2

Re-appointments and sustainability

The Chair thanked the new members for their applications in 2019 but confirmed that further appointments to the committee were still required.

It was confirmed by the Chair that 2020 extended recruitment window was still open (until 23rd October 2020) and asked that all members share the recruitment advertisement to their network.

The Chair noted reminded existing members, whose term was due to expire in 2020, that they were required to apply during this recruitment round as it was unlikely that further recruitment would be undertaken in early 2021. (Post Meeting Note: at least 4 existing members have chosen NOT to renew their membership).

The Chair offered clarification of the terms of appointment (3 years) and the reappointment process that needs to be followed, details of which are also available in the Member’s Handbook.

Members training

The Chair noted that many existing members had not received any formal training since appointment and the pandemic may cause issue with new member training in the short term. The Chair agreed to discuss possible online training with the National Chair and appointed National Training Liaison member. It is hoped this training can be in place for commencement Q1/2021, following appointment of the current applicants to the Committee.

Key committee appointments

The Chair asked for volunteers for a number of key appointments within the committee • Deputy Chair • Secretary • Communications Officer

After discussion, it was agreed to suspend appointment of these roles until the new Chair is formally appointed.

It was agreed that further specialist liaison roles within the committee would improve both regional and national cross organisational working and volunteers were sought to act in these roles:

i. Health/Mental Health (future co-opt suggested) ii. Military (Mark Steed volunteered) iii. Judiciary (Ben Halfpenny volunteered) iv. Local Government v. DWP/Employment vi. Housing (Rich Liddle volunteered)

National sub-working groups are also being created, or already in existence, to further the work in these areas.

It was recognised that the Committee may not have members with experience to fulfil some of these roles and all members were asked to discuss possible Committee Applications from suitable candidates.

VFR hub

The Chair advised the national introduction of a central google-drive based platform to enable sharing of documents both internally between committee members, cross committee collaboration and visibility of National Chair information.

All members are asked to create an account on the VFR Hub to enable them to gain access to the drive, following which all documentation of the committee can be shared there.

National Committee has approved a communications strategy, using this platform, which will be led within Committee by Communications Officer once appointed.

National chair

The National Chair, Johnny Lighten, had intended to join the meeting but was unfortunately detained.

WPC/VAPC centenary

The Chair confirmed that National Committee had agreed that no further action would be taken on these celebrations, given the current pandemic and likelihood of cancellation.

AOB

Veterans UK are working on a transformation program and requested that VAPC offer volunteers to help test the online claims portal currently under development. Mark Thirlwell agreed to undertake this testing role for the NE.

Identity Cards – The Chair confirmed details had been shared on obtaining a VAPC Identity Card, via Vets UK should one be required.

Next meetings

It was agreed to meet more regularly during the remainder of 2020, in order to recover time without meetings during 2019/2020.

2020 Meetings will therefore be held, online, as follows: Monday 2nd November 2020 Friday 11th December 2020

2021 meetings will revert to quarterly dates, as in previous years, with exact dates subject to agreement in December.

• March
• June
• September
• December