Minutes 20 September 2023
Note of meeting held via MS Teams on Wednesday 20 September 2023
Chair
Councillor Bob Burgess, Armed Forces Veterans Champion, North Lanarkshire Council
Firm Base Group Members Present:
Councillor Mark Horsham, Armed Forces Veterans Champion, South Lanarkshire Council
Geraldine McCann, Lead Officer for Veterans Issues, South Lanarkshire Council
Archie Aitken, Lead Officer for Veterans Issues, North Lanarkshire Council
Lynne Wyllie, Administration Assistant, South Lanarkshire Council
Yvonne Hinshelwood, Operations Coordinator, North Lanarkshire Council
Craig Cunningham, Veterans Champion, NHS Lanarkshire
Shaun Cauvin, Veterans Scotland
Dr Jennifer Ring, Veterans First Point
Lynsey Smith, Brighter Futures Manager, North Lanarkshire Council
Melissa Fraser, TOD Business Partner (Early Careers) North Lanarkshire Council
Suzanne Macleod, HR Programme Manager, North Lanarkshire Council
Leon Fisher, Fares4free
Audrey Cuthbertson, Lanarkshire Armed Services Advice Project (ASAP)
Kevin Mullarkey, Children’s Service Planning Manager, Education Resources, South Lanarkshire Council
Scott Cunningham, MBE Community and Challenge Events Officer
Eric Foy, Team Leader Skills Development Scotland
June Weir, Team Leader Skills Development Scotland
Colonel Stuart Roberts, Deputy Lord Lieutenant
Lynn Bruce, South Lanarkshire Council
Brian Kelly, SACRO
Gavin J Davey, Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund
Stewart McKay, Depute Head of Operations – Combat Stress Scotland
Lynne Davidson, (DMWS)
Fiona Campbell, Armed Forces Champion (DWP)
Apologies:
Rachel Blair, Legal Manager, North Lanarkshire Council
Catherine Johnstone, North Lanarkshire Council
Andrew Craney, North Lanarkshire Council
Tom Little, Head of Corporate Communications, South Lanarkshire Council
Clare Sally, Regional Employment Advisor, West of Scotland Organisation
Steven Houghton, Veterans Champion, Police Scotland
Marie Crombie, Chief Executive, Fares4Free
Gary Jamieson, RBLI Lifeworks
Caroline Belch, Welfare Support Officer, Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund
Suzie Hamilton, Scottish Veterans Commissioner
Peita Anne Paterson (REMPLOY)
Annette Hucksack (ENABLE)
Danny Gemmell, Be-Inn Unity
Col Tony Phillips, S1 Brigade
Stephen Elliot, Veterans Housing Scotland
Major Laura Cox, SO2 Transition and Life Skills, Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committee
Kenny Cumming, Veterans Welfare Officer, Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS)
Laura Mckie, Specialist Lead, Supporting Armed Forces
Steve Burton, BLESMA
Edward Challis , Specialist Lead, Supporting Armed Forces
Colonel Ted Shields MBE, Chief Executive, Lowland Reserve Forces and Cadet Association
Calum Macleod, Who Dares Wins
Cat Leatherby, Operation Manager, Routes to Work
Helen Hanlon, (DWP)
Capt Alexander Shannon, Support Squadron, 32 Signal Regiment
Alistair Gemmell, Regional Manager for Scotland, Veterans Welfare Service
1 Chair’s Opening Remarks
Councillor Burgess, Armed Forces Veterans Champion, NLC welcomed everyone to the meeting and heard apologies submitted.
Outcome: Apologies be noted.
2 Note of Previous Meeting
The note of the meeting of the Firm Base held on 31 May 2023 was submitted for approval as a correct record.
Outcome: Minutes approved.
3 Terms of Reference
Councillor Burgess, Armed Forces Veterans Champion, NLC, advised that the Terms of Reference were currently being revised by representatives from the Group and that an update would be provided at a future meeting.
Outcome: That the matter be continued to a future meeting.
4 Royal Regiment – Freedom of North Lanarkshire – June 2024 – update from Councillor Burgess, Depute Provost, NLC
The Group heard from Councillor Burgess, Veterans Champion, NLC (1) that at a meeting of the Council held on March 2023.it had been agreed that the Royal Regiment of Scotland be granted the freedom of North Lanarkshire; (2) that the Royal Regiment advised that due to other commitments already scheduled for 2023 they could accommodate an event to coincide with the Armed Forces Day which would be held on Saturday 29 June 2024; (3) that discussions were ongoing and that the Provost of North Lanarkshire had met with two members of the Royal Regiment in order that the appropriate arrangements be made in respect of the routes, parades and hospitality requirements, and (4) that further meetings were scheduled to take place in January and a further update would be provided in due course.
Outcome (s):
- That an event scheduled to take place on Saturday 29 June 2024 be noted, and
- a further update be provided to a future meeting of this Group.
5 Veteran Friendly GP Processes – update from Cllr Horsham
Councillor Horsham advised that he had received an enquiry from Lisa Cameron, MP seeking information in relation to Veteran friendly GP practices in Scotland. Thereon discussions took place in respect of the well-established network and of the several NHS Champions in place within a number of localities.
Craig Cunningham, Veterans Champion, NHS Lanarkshire advised of the current support and mechanisms in place when a Veteran makes themselves know to their GP, that they have faster access to secondary care via the referral management system, and whilst there are increasing issues to general practice, veterans do get priority and better access, and that there were no outstanding issues.
Outcome: that the position be noted.
Upskilling Veterans Project – Presentation from Lynsey Smith, Brighter Futures Manager, NLC
Lynsey Smith, Brighter Futures Manager, NLC (1) outlined the work currently being undertaken within the Council to support veterans with a change of approach to the current academy model and with particular regard to skills delivery, maximising opportunities through community benefits from procurement to skills development and employment opportunities, (2) advised that the main focus was to ensure a coordinated approach with relevant partners to capture the challenges within three sectors in particular Built Environment, Health and Social Care, and Digital, (3) informed that funding had been received for the project under the category of “People and Skills”; (4) advised that investigations were ongoing to identify a provider to look at the training opportunities and also look at individuals who could support the project and who could provide experience and work placement opportunities, and (5) suggested that this group be able to offer support through combined knowledge and experience and to facilitate with the progression of the project. Lynsey advised that they are looking at developing a cohort that would support the project, offering experience, support and work placement opportunities.
Shaun Cauvin, Veterans Scotland explained the support outlined was lacking across the whole of Scotland and previously Poppy Scotland had initiated an employment desk that offered that level of support.
Outcome(s): -
- Presentation noted;
- It was noted that the Cohort will run between January and March 2024, and between April and March 2025, and
- That the organisations within the group contact Lynsey Smith, Brighter Futures Manager direct for further information.
6. Veterans Mentor for Glasgow and West of Scotland – presentation from Brian Kelly, Veterans Mentoring Service
The Group heard Brian Kelly, SACRO (1) detail his background and his return to civilian life; (2) advise of the support being provided for those veterans at risk of being involved in the criminal justice system, and (3) intimate that discussions were ongoing with Barlinnie prison with a view to settling up coffee mornings and assistance to assist veterans reintegrate with society and access support available such as benefits and exploring employment opportunities.
Craig Cunningham, Veterans Champion, NHS Scotland informed of the Beacons Project being held on a weekly basis and suggested that the presentation be disseminated to the local community.
Outcome(s)
- That the presentation be issued to Craig Cunningham for distribution to the community, and
- An updated membership list be issued to all members of the Lanarkshire Armed Forces Community and Veterans Covenant Group
Other Business
Shaun Cauvin, Veterans Scotland requested housing be placed as an item on agenda for the next meeting.
Cllr Mark Horsham, Veterans Champion, SLC proposed that to allow representatives from all organisations to discuss the ongoing issues and to identify solutions an event be arranged. Eric Foy, Skills Development Scotland suggested that Alistair Ferrier from Skills Development Scotland may provide a presentation on a range of activities and resource available.
Dr Jennifer Ring, Lanarkshire First Point advised that a family members pathway had been devised and support was being provided to families experiencing difficult circumstances and intimated that details would be circulated to the group.
Stewart McKay, Combat Stress added that Combat Stress has an established support service and was in the process of employing a second family support coordinator for Scotland.
Outcome(s):
(1) That Housing be placed as an item on the agenda for the next meeting
(2) That an event be arranged with all organisations to discuss current issues and solutions and Alistair Ferrie be invited to provide a presentation on the range of resources and activities available.
10 Date of Next Meeting
It was agreed that the next meeting of the Lanarkshire Armed Forces Community and Veterans Covenant Group be held on 24 January 2024 at 2pm within South Lanarkshire Council, Council Chamber, Hamilton