Agenda item

To highlight the issues facing the armed forces community (including serving personnel and their families, reservists, cadets and veterans) in Surrey, and to provide an update on progress made on implementing actions under the Armed Forces Covenant to help ensure that the armed forces community is not disadvantaged by their service.

Declarations of Interest:

Jan Mason informed the Board that her son served in the Armed Forces.

Witnesses:

Councillor John Kingsbury - Woking Borough Council

Canon Peter Bruinvels – Surrey CC  Civilian-Military Liaison Officer

Karen Webster -Civil Engagement Officer, 11 Infantry Brigade

Major Jodie Kennedy-Smith - SO2 Transition, 11 Infantry Brigade

Wing Commander David Bramley -Branch Secretary, SSAFA Surrey

James Painter - Community Partnership Manager

Sarah Goodman - Community Partnership and Committee Officer

ZafarIqbal – Senior Policy Officer, Woking Borough Council

Key points raised during discussion:

1.    Officers introduced the report to the Board and highlighted some of its key points. It was reported that Surrey County Council signed the Armed Forces Covenant (the Covenant) in 2012 and that the Covenant’s main objective was to ensure that any member of the Armed Forces (AF) community is treated fairly and not put at a disadvantage. The key areas which can be an issue for the AF community in Surrey are education, employment, health, housing, family life, debt, divorce. The Covenant also aims to further support Cadet units, as well as attracting more adult volunteers within the Cadets.

2.    The purpose of the review was to raise awareness on how to refer people effectively, consider actions going forward the next few years, to ensure the AF community can benefit and support Surrey’s delivery of the work of the Surrey Civilian Military Partnership Board.

3.    The Board was informed that service personnel are encouraged to branch out earlier into civilian networks and “put down roots” through their service ahead of resettlement. This new approach is designed to help veterans transition back into civilian communities. The initiative aims to remove the barriers associated with resettlement by promoting integration through effective means.

4.    There was a discussion around how the Covenant functions and works to meet its objectives. Witnesses from Woking Borough Council informed the Board how local businesses were encouraged to sign the Covenant and to get involved with, support and to help prevent any discrimination or disadvantage against military personnel. Furthermore, Officers emphasised how the Covenant offered a wide range of benefits to AF personnel. An example given to the Board was the signing of the Armed Forces Covenant by Woking Football Club, which promoted communication and integration between two communities.

5.    Officers also expressed how they were keen to engage with manufacturing companies to promote the Covenant and broaden the support and widen the employment opportunities available to AF personnel.

6.    It was explained to the Board that the catalyst for creating a more thorough support network for Surrey’s military population was Surrey County Council signing the Covenant. Subsequently, the District and Borough Councils had signed the Covenant and appointed Armed Forces Champions; some also creating Armed Forces Panels. Officers also stressed the importance of the work of the Surrey Civilian Military Partnership Board.

7.    Members expressed concerns with homelessness and wanted clarification on how veterans were sought out in these conditions and then supported. Officers explained to the Board, how statistically the figures for homelessness were not high as they’re portrayed to be in the media, the percentage included ex-servicemen who chose to not receive help, and this was at 3%.

8.    Witnesses introduced the work of SSAFA, one of the biggest charities providing support to the Armed Forces and their families. It was reported to the Board how SSAFA’s case work helped secure funding from one of the 600 charities listed on their data base to support any serving or retired AF personnel. Their wide remit allowed SSAFA to use their resources to accommodate veterans who are sleeping rough, or require support with other issues, such as housing or drug addiction. The Board commended the work of SSAFA and agreed their service was valuable and a good point of call for the AF community.

9.    Members of the Board explored the issue of social stability amongst the AF community and how it was necessary to support the AF community to put down roots to ensure resettlement back into civilian life was not unnecessarily complicated. Officers explained to the Board that the Military were encouraging families of the servicemen/women to work near where they reside because it helps them to integrate in the community and encourages them to live in that area upon later resettlement.

10.  Members of the Board wanted clarification on the notice period given to the AF personnel for housing. Officers informed the Board that waiting lists were extensive and affordable housing in Surrey was difficult. The Board took this into consideration and explained that housing was a key area that was considered by its Community Integration Task Group.

11.  A Member of the Board raised concerns with sustainability with regards to support and whether vulnerable people were fast tracked, with the resources in place. Officers referred back to SSAFA and how their service can provide support to any servicemen and the resources available can also be accessed for emergency situations. It was suggested that AF Champions promote awareness and signposting to appropriate support.

12.  The Chairman addressed and informed the Board that it had been delegated, by the Leader, the responsibility to appoint an Armed Forces Champion for Surrey, and the Board’s Vice-Chairman, Rachael Lake, took on that appointment.

13.  A Board Member commented that smaller Borough and District Councils would potentially struggle to meet the demands for all AF personnel in need and suggested that the Cabinet Member write to Government to raise awareness of the issue further, and to seek additional funding to help support the AF community in Surrey. However, witnesses made a point that the scale of support required is not well defined enough to successfully bid to Government.

14.  The Chairman proposed that the AF Champion for Surrey researches what data is available to officers currently and what can be done to improve information for supporting AF personnel in Surrey, to address the key issues indicated.
Officers circulated a job description of the AF Champion role to the Board, and offered to support the Surrey AF Champion with this.

15.  A Member of the Board encouraged awareness to be promoted round the County Council further to applying for the Gold Award, having successfully been awarded the Silver Employer Recognition Award in 2015 for supportive behaviour towards the AF community, sharing good practice for others to follow by example.

Recommendations:

The Board recommends that witnesses and officers:

•     Circulate case study video on the employment of Armed Forces personnel to the Board.

•     Expand and improve the information available to all Surrey County, Local and Parish Councillors on the issues facing Armed Forces personnel and veterans, including specific case studies.

•     Raise Councillors awareness of the range of support and resources available to serving and retired Armed Forces personnel.

The Board also recommends for all Members to promote the aims of the Armed Forces Covenant through their role as Councillors.