Guidance

VAPC south west England: meeting minutes 20 November 2020

Updated 10 January 2024

• Meeting took place at 10am.

Due to Covid 19 restrictions, this was a virtual meeting.

Attendance

The following were able to join on one or more of the meetings:

Committee members:

Paul Cartwright (PC)	Nigel Lewis (NL)	Andrew Ottaway (AO)
Hamilton Elliott (HE)	David Newson (DN)	Franklin Owusu-Antwi (FO-A)
Ash Jones (AJ)	Anica Alvarez Nishio (AAN)	Jeff Spenser (JS)
David Wood (DW)

Guests

Louis Gardner

Emma Jones (EJ) - VWS

Aaron Hymas (AH) - DTS

Apologies

• Ben Bennington

Decisions

Welcome and Introductions by PC

PC thanked DN for his 6 years of service on VAPC SW (noting that this was likely to be his last meeting).

Declaration of Interest by All

There were no declarations of conflicting interests.

Minutes/Actions outstanding.

There were no actions outstanding.

Chair of Chairs update by PC

The Committee were updated on the Chairs’ meeting with Min DPV a few days previously and the action to give him a written proposal on the way forward for VAPCs by Christmas. (After-note: this was subsequently achieved). PC agreed to circulate the proposal once it went to Min DPV. Actioned by PC.

New members highlighted that their induction/training had been poor and that there had been little information on the ‘AF Covenant’ role. AAN agreed to circulate some ideas on training/induction. Actioned by ANN.

A general discussion on other issues regarding a VAPC relaunch included the following generally agreed points:

• Many (especially younger) Veterans didn’t like the term ‘Veteran’.
• VAPC should drop the ‘P’ from their title.
• Some support for having the word ‘Covenant’ in our title.

VAPC national communications/VFR Hub update by JS

Although there were still some bugs on the VFR Hub (such as finding the right forum), members were encouraged to use the it – all who actively used it found it helpful. The number of forums would be rejigged to reflect use or utility.

DTS Update by AH

DTS has been operational for a year. It has had 295 referrals, 93 in the SW. Covid had not had a significant impact other than fewer face to face meetings. AH gave some examples of the type of casework being dealt with (a single mum lacking accommodation, a Foreign & Commonwealth (F&C) soldier with PTSD not able to apply to remain in the country).

The latter was discussed, given the current media interest in the significant cost to F&C soldiers of obtaining residency. HE (Hamilton Elliot), noted he had an Army Families Federation contact. It was agreed that we should be sharing useful contacts – PC would consider how best to do this.

VWS Update by EJ

Business as usual (less face to face meetings). Some extra IT support (for example, iPhones for home working). EJ gave an example of veteran who went to tribunal/not satisfied with the outcome and how this was handled. Also highlighted staff shortages (1 due COVID-19) and that Vets UK were not using VWS much.

Covenant Activity (County updates) by all

Highlights were:

• RAF Morgan is open to liaison.
• Problems with finding the right charities.
• Cornwall AF Covenant Board is trying to be inclusive and encouraging charities to coordinate.
• SW Partnership Board may lapse (a pity, as this was set up using £300-thousand of AF Covenant funding).

NHS Project by JS

Matt Boulter has not applied to become a member but will remain as a co-opted member.

SW Plan update/recruiting by PC

PC congratulated FO-A on his selection as S Glos AF Champion.

There had been more applications to be members than places available, which was very encouraging. Interviews to take place on 1 and 2 December 2021. Once new members had been selected, work would begin on adjusting the plan.

AOB by all

NL noted that it was taking the Army Personnel Centre up to 5 months to confirm the service of those coming forward as veterans, whereas the RN and RAF only take 5 days to do this. PC agreed to raise this at Chairs. Actioned by PC.