Agenda item

Surrey County Council (SCC) signed the Armed Forces Community Covenant with the military on 13 March 2012, with Reigate and Banstead Council (R&BBC) signing on 24 June 2013. Following the signings, a countywide Surrey Civilian Military Partnership Board (SCMPB) was established to implement actions under the Covenant across Surrey.

This report provides an update of activities undertaken.

Report and Annexes 1-5 attached

Declarations of Interest: None

Officers attending: Canon Peter Bruinvels, Civilian Military Liaison Adviser

Petitions, Public Questions, Statements: None

Member Discussion – key points:

·         Members wished to know if there was a large number of homeless ex-soldiers in Surrey. The Civilian Military Liaison Adviser noted that it was not a large problem. The Surrey County Council Contact Centre now asks whether those enquiring about homelessness have served in the Armed Forces. A bigger issue is helping former servicemen who are leaving prison.

·         Discussion took place around mental health issues. The work of Ben’s Place in Merstham was highlighted.

·         The Chairman spoke about the excellent work carried out by the Cadet Forces, particularly where young people from challenging backgrounds are helped to become valuable members of the community. The Civilian Military Liaison Adviser noted that Cadet Forces were especially strong in Reigate & Banstead, although there was a shortage of adult volunteers to support Cadet Forces across Surrey.

·         Cllr Roger Newstead, speaking as the Armed Forces Champion for Reigate & Banstead Borough Council, reported that the Army Cadet Force’s national champion cadet for 2016 belonged to the Redhill Detachment. He also noted that there was an issue of identifying where veterans lived, and that the Royal British Legion was lobbying for a question to be included in the next census to ascertain whether people had served in the Armed Forces.

·         The Chairman thanked the Civilian Military Liaison Adviser for his presentation, and reiterated the Local Committee’s support for the Armed Forces and the work being carried out in Surrey.

The Local Committee (Reigate & Banstead) NOTED the report.